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MSHA News Release: [07/29/2005]
Contact Name: Suzy Bohnert or Dirk Fillpot
Phone Number: (202) 693-4647 or x9420
Release Number: 05-1035-NAT

MSHA Proposes Rule to Reduce Miners’ Exposure to Asbestos

ARLINGTON, Va.—The U.S. Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) today issued a proposed rule that would reduce by 20 times miners' permissible exposure limit (PEL) to asbestos. The rule would lower the current exposure limit for eight-hour work shifts from two fibers per cubic centimeter to 0.1 fibers per cubic centimeter.

“This lowered PEL would help improve the health of American miners,” said David G. Dye, deputy assistant secretary of labor for mine safety and health. “We are fully committed to fulfilling our mission of protecting the health and safety of America's miners.”

The proposed rule would affect miners at all metal and nonmetal mines, surface coal mines, and surface areas of underground coal mines in the United States.

Asbestos is the generic term for a group of minerals that occur naturally as long, thin fibers. Some adverse health effects associated with exposure to asbestos are lung diseases, such as cancer, pulmonary fibrosis, asbestosis and mesothelioma.

Under the proposal, the regulations would:

• lower the short-term excursion limit from 10 fibers per cubic centimeter sampled over 15 minutes to one fiber per cubic centimeter sampled over 30 minutes;
• continue to cover the same asbestos minerals as are addressed in MSHA's existing standards—these minerals are called the “federal six” and are the same as those regulated by OSHA, and
• use the same language for metal, nonmetal and coal mine asbestos standards.

Written comments on this proposed rulemaking should be submitted within 60 days to the MSHA Office of Standards, Regulations and Variances, 1100 Wilson Blvd., Room 2350, Arlington, Va. 22209-3939; fax 202-693-9441. Comments may be submitted at www.regulations.gov, or by e-mail to zzMSHA-comments@dol.gov, inserting RIN: 1219-AB24 in the subject line.

Public hearings about the proposed rule are scheduled for Denver and Arlington, Va. MSHA's Web site at www.msha.gov has a hearing schedule and a link to the proposed rule, which is in today's Federal Register.

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