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Third Phase of MSHA X-ray Program Begins

Oct. 10, 2000

MSHA recently announced that coal miners at almost 600 mining\r\noperations are newly eligible to get free, confidential chest X-rays to detect traces of black lung disease.

EHS Today Staff

The Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) recently announced that more than 20,000 coal miners at almost 600 mining operations are newly eligible to get free, confidential chest X-rays to detect traces of black lung disease.

This is the third phase of the Miners'' Choice Health Screening program, which began a year ago.

MSHA will offer the free exams to more miners at operations in Alabama, Colorado, Illinois, Kentucky, Pennsylvania, Texas, West Virginia and several other states.

The agency randomly selects the operations where miners will be eligible for free X-ray each year.

Eligible miners will be notified by MSHA during the current fiscal year and given a list of participating medical facilities in their area where free X-rays will be taken.

MSHA will collect statistical information on the number of miners being tested and those testing positive for black lung disease.

The agency hopes to provide free chest X-rays to about one-fifth of all coal miners each year for five years so all of the nearly 90,000 coal miners nationwide will have the opportunity for a free exam.

Only current, working miners are eligible for the free X-rays.

by Virginia Sutcliffe

About the Author

EHS Today Staff

EHS Today's editorial staff includes:

Dave Blanchard, Editor-in-Chief: During his career Dave has led the editorial management of many of Endeavor Business Media's best-known brands, including IndustryWeek, EHS Today, Material Handling & Logistics, Logistics Today, Supply Chain Technology News, and Business Finance. In addition, he serves as senior content director of the annual Safety Leadership Conference. With over 30 years of B2B media experience, Dave literally wrote the book on supply chain management, Supply Chain Management Best Practices (John Wiley & Sons, 2021), which has been translated into several languages and is currently in its third edition. He is a frequent speaker and moderator at major trade shows and conferences, and has won numerous awards for writing and editing. He is a voting member of the jury of the Logistics Hall of Fame, and is a graduate of Northern Illinois University.

Adrienne Selko, Senior Editor: In addition to her roles with EHS Today and the Safety Leadership Conference, Adrienne is also a senior editor at IndustryWeek and has written about many topics, with her current focus on workforce development strategies. She is also a senior editor at Material Handling & Logistics. Previously she was in corporate communications at a medical manufacturing company as well as a large regional bank. She is the author of Do I Have to Wear Garlic Around My Neck?, which made the Cleveland Plain Dealer's best sellers list.

Nicole Stempak, Managing Editor: Nicole Stempak is managing editor of EHS Today and conference content manager of the Safety Leadership Conference.