News Release

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MSHA News Release: [10/04/2005]
Contact Name: Suzy Bohnert or Dirk Fillpot
Phone Number: (202) 693-4647 or x9420
Release Number: 05-1839-NAT

MSHA Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking Focuses on Addressing Risks to Miners of Drug and Alcohol Use

ARLINGTON, Va.—The U.S. Department of Labor's Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) today issued an advance notice of proposed rulemaking that seeks information about how to address the risks and hazards to miner safety from alcohol and drug use.

MSHA officials want information from the public to determine whether there is a need for rulemaking to address alcohol and drug use and its safety risk to miners. The agency also seeks information on alternatives or supplements to rulemaking, what data would accurately measure the problem of alcohol and drug use in the mining industry, and an estimated cost to mining companies to comply with such regulations.

Seven public meetings to discuss the advance notice of proposed rulemaking are scheduled at 9 a.m. for these dates:

• Oct. 24, Little America Hotel, 500 S. Main St., Salt Lake City, Utah
• Oct. 26, Hyatt Regency St. Louis, 1 St. Louis Union Station, St. Louis, Mo.
• Oct. 28, Sheraton Birmingham, 2101 Richard Arrington Jr. Blvd. N., Birmingham, Ala.
• Oct. 31, Sheraton Suites Lexington, 2601 Richmond Road, Lexington, Ky.
• Nov. 2, Marriott Town Center, 200 Lee St. E., Charleston, W.Va.
• Nov. 4, Hyatt Regency Pittsburgh International Airport, 1111 Airport Blvd., Pittsburgh, Pa.
• Nov. 8, MSHA headquarters, 25 th floor, 1100 Wilson Blvd., Arlington, Va.

Written comments on this advance notice of proposed rulemaking should be sent by Nov. 27 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-AB41 in the subject line.

MSHA's Web site at www.msha.gov has a meeting schedule and a link to the advance notice of proposed rulemaking, which is in today's Federal Register.

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