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DOL/MSHA

RIN: 1219-AA48

Publication ID: Fall 1997

Title: Air Quality, Chemical Substances, and Respiratory Protection Standards
Abstract: The Mine Safety and Health Administration's (MSHA's) current air quality standards for exposure to hazardous airborne contaminants were promulgated over 20 years ago. They do not fully protect today's miners, who are potentially exposed to an array of toxic chemicals, including lead, cyanide, arsenic, benzene, asbestos, and other well-documented hazards. Some miners have developed occupational illness (e.g., lead poisoning, acute cyanide poisoning, and silicosis) as a result of their exposure. The final rule would update permissible exposure limits (PELs) applicable to hazards encountered in metal and nonmetal and coal mines, revise requirements for exposure monitoring, improve precautions for handling restricted-use chemicals, provide for miner observation of monitoring, and establish provisions for medical surveillance and transfer of miners required to use respirators and miners exposed to certain carcinogens. MSHA will be issuing the final rule in phases. For example, one phase may address respiratory protection. MSHA also is considering alternatives which may address selected PELs applicable to some of the most serious hazards found in metal and nonmetal and coal mines. These phases expedite the rulemaking and provide for more immediate protection. MSHA has concluded that a gradual phase-in of provisions in the air quality rulemaking will be less burdensome for the industry and provide more immediate protection for the miners exposed to the most serious hazards.
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: State, local, or tribal governments
CFR Citation: 30 CFR 56 30 CFR 57 30 CFR 58 30 CFR 70 30 CFR 71 30 CFR 72 30 CFR 75 30 CFR 90
Legal Authority: 30 USC 811

Timetable:

Action	Date	FR Cite
ANPRM	07/06/1983	48 FR 31171
ANPRM	11/19/1985	50 FR 47702
NPRM	08/29/1989	54 FR 35760
NPRM Comment Period End	08/30/1991	56 FR 29201
Final Action Phase 2 - Respiratory Protection	04/00/1998
Final Action Phase 3 - PELS	06/00/1998

Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes	Government Levels Affected: Federal, Local, State, Tribal
Small Entities Affected: Businesses
Included in the Regulatory Plan: No
Agency Contact: Patricia W. Silvey Director, Office of Standards, Regulations, and Variances Department of Labor Mine Safety and Health Administration Room 631, 1100 Wilson Boulevard, Room 2350, Arlington, VA 22209-3939 Phone:202 693-9440 Fax:202 693-9441 Email: silvey.patricia@dol.gov