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DOL/MSHA RIN: 1219-AB64 Publication ID: Fall 2013 
Title: Lowering Miners' Exposure to Respirable Coal Mine Dust, Including Continuous Personal Dust Monitors 
Abstract: The Federal Coal Mine Health and Safety Act of 1969 established the first comprehensive respirable dust standards for coal mines. These standards were designed to reduce the incidence of coal workers' pneumoconiosis (CWP or black lung) and silicosis and eventually eliminate these diseases. While significant progress has been made toward improving the health conditions in our Nation's coal mines, miners continue to be at risk of developing occupational lung disease, according to the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH). In September 1995, NIOSH issued a criteria document in which it recommended that the respirable coal mine dust permissible exposure limit (PEL) be cut in half. In February 1996, the Secretary of Labor convened a Federal Advisory Committee on the Elimination of Pneumoconiosis Among Coal Miners (Advisory Committee) to assess the adequacy of MSHA's current program and standards to control respirable dust in underground and surface coal mines, as well as other ways to eliminate black lung and silicosis among coal miners. The Committee represented the labor, industry, and academic communities. The Committee submitted its report to the Secretary of Labor in November 1996, with the majority of the recommendations unanimously supported by the Committee members. The Committee recommended a number of actions to reduce miners' exposure to respirable coal mine dust. This final rule is an important element in MSHA's Comprehensive Black Lung Reduction Strategy (Strategy) to "End Black Lung Now." 
Agency: Department of Labor(DOL)  Priority: Other Significant 
RIN Status: Previously published in the Unified Agenda Agenda Stage of Rulemaking: Final Rule Stage 
Major: No  Unfunded Mandates: No 
CFR Citation: 30 CFR 70    30 CFR 71    30 CFR 72    30 CFR 75    30 CFR 90   
Legal Authority: 30 USC 811    30 USC 813(h)    30 USC 957   
Legal Deadline:  None
Timetable:
Action Date FR Cite
NPRM  10/19/2010  75 FR 64412   
Notice of Public Hearings; Corrections  11/15/2010  75 FR 69617   
NPRM-Rescheduling of Public Hearings; Correction  11/30/2010  75 FR 73995   
NPRM Comment Period End  02/28/2011 
Public Hearing  12/07/2010    
Public Hearing  01/11/2011    
Public Hearing  01/13/2011    
Public Hearing  01/25/2011    
Public Hearing  02/08/2011    
Public Hearing  02/10/2011    
Public Hearing  02/15/2011    
NPRM Comment Period Extended   01/14/2011  76 FR 2617   
Request for Comment  03/08/2011  76 FR 12648   
NPRM Comment Period End  05/02/2011    
NPRM Comment Period Extended  05/04/2011  76 FR 25277   
NPRM Comment Period End  05/31/2011    
NPRM Comment Period Extended  05/27/2011  76 FR 30878   
NPRM Comment Period End  06/20/2011    
Final Rule  12/00/2013 
Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: No  Government Levels Affected: None 
Small Entities Affected: Businesses  Federalism: No 
Included in the Regulatory Plan: No 
RIN Information URL: www.msha.gov   Public Comment URL: www.regulations.gov  
RIN Data Printed in the FR: No 
Agency Contact:
George F. Triebsch
Director, Office of Standards, Regulations, and Variances
Department of Labor
Mine Safety and Health Administration
1100 Wilson Boulevard, Room 2350,
Arlington, VA 22209
Phone:202 693-9440
Fax:202 693-9441
Email: triebsch.george@dol.gov