Diesel Particulate Matter Exposure of Underground Coal Miners

This proposed rule would establish new health standards for underground coal mines that use equipment powered by diesel engines. This proposal is designed to reduce the risks to underground coal miners of serious health hazards that are associated with exposure to high concentrations of diesel particulate matter (dpm). DPM is a very small particle in diesel exhaust. Underground miners are exposed to far higher concentrations of this fine particulate than any other group of workers. The best available evidence indicates that such high exposures put these miners at excess risk of a variety of adverse health effects, including lung cancer. The proposed rule for underground coal mines would require that mine operators install and maintain high-efficiency filtration systems on certain types of diesel-powered equipment. Underground coal mine operators would also be required to train miners about the hazards of dpm exposure. By separate notice, MSHA will soon propose a rule to reduce dpm exposures in underground metal and nonmetal mines.