Posts Tagged ‘National Black Lung Association’
5,200+ comments from across the country support strengthening silica dust rule as comment period concludes
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE September 12, 2023 CONTACT Trey Pollard, trey@pollardcommunications.com COAL COUNTRY – Last night at midnight EST, the 45-day comment period on the Mine Safety and Health Administration’s draft rule to protect coal miners from exposure to respirable silica wrapped up. Throughout the comment period, over 5,200 Americans added their voice to the effort…
Read MoreMiners, advocates voice their concerns about MSHA’s proposed silica rule
Coal miners and black lung advocates filled several back rows of the auditorium at the Mine Safety and Health Administration Academy just outside of Beckley, West Virginia, on the morning of Aug. 10th to provide comments on the agency’s draft rule to protect miners from respirable silica dust.
Read MoreMiners, advocates speak out during silica rule hearing
During a public hearing held today in Beckley, West Virginia, a number of coal miners and advocates spoke out in support of strengthened silica dust exposure standards proposed by the U.S. Mine Safety and Health Administration in response to an epidemic of new black lung cases among coal miners while highlighting areas where the proposed rule could be improved.
Read MoreAppalachian senators introduce bill to support families of deceased miners
Today, Sens. Mark Warner (VA), Tim Kaine (VA), Joe Manchin (WV), Sherrod Brown (OH), Bob Casey (PA) and John Fetterman (PA) introduced legislation to ease the process for families of deceased miners to apply for black lung benefits. Surviving dependents can apply to receive black lung benefits after a miner’s death, but filing for benefits is complex and burdensome.
Read MoreAdvocates, coal miners applaud progress towards new silica dust rule
Today, the Biden Administration’s Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) released a long-delayed draft rule to protect coal miners from exposure to respirable silica — the principal cause of the resurgence of deadly black lung disease.
Read MoreAdvocates to Biden admin. on silica dust rule delays: “The longer the administration waits, the more miners will suffer and die”
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE June 29, 2023 CONTACT: Trey Pollard, trey@pollardcommunications.com COAL COUNTRY – Today, 28 groups sent a letter to the Biden Administration urging the release of a long-delayed rule to protect coal miners from exposure to respirable silica – the principal cause of the resurgence of deadly black lung disease in coal miners. In…
Read MoreRegulators Poised to Update Miners’ Protections from Silica Dust
Expected new silica dust regulations in mines could combat the rise of black lung disease. However, the effects of an ongoing federal silica enforcement initiative remain unclear.
Read MoreNEW REPORT: Benefits for coal miners with black lung falling behind
This morning, advocates for miners with black lung and their families released a new report detailing how black lung benefit payments have fallen far behind the cost of living, putting ailing miners and their dependents among the most at risk as inflation continues to rise.
Read MoreSenators from Appalachian states request a federal study of whether black lung benefits are adequate
A study by the Government Accountability Office looking at the adequacy of current black lung benefits for miners and their families requested by U.S. senators should bolster ongoing efforts to improve those benefits.
Read MorePermanent extension of black lung excise tax gives miners peace of mind
Miners with black lung and their advocates scored a huge victory in the recently signed Inflation Reduction Act, which permanently extended the black lung excise tax that supports the Black Lung Disability Trust Fund.
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