black lung News

Coal Miners Hail Rule to Slow Rise of Black Lung

CHARLESTON, W.Va. (AP) — A half-century ago, the nation`s top health experts urged the federal agency in charge of mine safety to adopt strict rules protecting miners from poisonous rock dust. The inaction since — fueled by denials and lobbying …

Milliman: Black-Lung Liabilities Top $9 Billion as Coal Industry Shrinks

The U.S. coal industry may be shrinking rapidly as the country shifts to renewable energy, but insurers’ and self-insured companies’ liabilities for black-lung occupational disease claims have ballooned – to an estimated $9 billion and perhaps more than $14 billion. …

Agency Reports Safest Mining Year in History

The U.S. Department of Labor’s Mine Safety and Health Administration released data that indicates Fiscal Year 2016 was the safest year in mining history. From Oct. 1, 2015, to Sept. 30, 2016, a record low 24 deaths occurred at the …

New Federal Coal Mine Dust Rules Now in Effect

Underground coal mines will ramp up testing for the dust that causes breathing problems and leads to black lung disease under a new federal rule taking effect Monday. The U.S. Mine Safety and Health Administration is requiring coal operators to …