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Posts Tagged ‘silica dust’

Coal miners travel to D.C. to advocate for black lung protections and benefits

By Molly Moore | October 1, 2026 | 0
Several dozen miners and their supporters wearing "Black Lung Kills" t-shirts and carrying signs stand on the steps of a capitol building

Coal miners, their families and medical professionals from Kentucky, Pennsylvania, Virginia and West Virginia gathered in the nation’s capitol to meet with senators and representatives to advocate for improving black lung benefits and protections.

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On the Front Lines of Appalachia’s Surge in Black Lung Disease

By Quenton King | May 8, 2026 | 0
Anita Wolfe speaks with miners about the NIOSH Coal Workers’ Health Surveillance Program. Photo courtesy of Anita Wolfe

Health care for coal miners is critical given the black lung disease crisis in Central Appalachia. These clinics are vital first responders.

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Trump administration to reconsider black lung protection rule, costing more miners’ lives

By Dan Radmacher | November 27, 2025 | 0
two people sit outdoors with signs: one sign says "black lung kills" and the other says "stand with us: enforce the silica rule"

The rule should have gone into effect to start protecting workers last April, but in a filing Wednesday, the administration said it is starting a new, “limited” rulemaking.

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Coal miners, advocates rally in Washington, D.C. to protest attacks on black lung and miner protections

By Dan Radmacher | October 14, 2025 | 0
Cecil Roberts, president of the United Mine Workers of America, speaks at the rally. Photo by Kevin Zedack

Today, more than 80 coal miners, members of Black Lung Associations, and other supporters rallied outside of the Department of Labor building in Washington, D.C., to protest the delay in implementing long-awaited silica dust protections for coal miners, along with funding and staffing cuts to mine safety and research.

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More coal miner lives in jeopardy as silica safeguard delayed yet again

By Dan Radmacher | August 19, 2025 | 0
Miners and advocates gather at a hearing on silica dust in Beckley, WV.

Measures that prevent deadly silica dust exposure among coal miners are indefinitely delayed, as coal industry lawyers and the Trump Administration’s Mine Safety and Health Administration reportedly continue to negotiate a settlement to the industry’s case to block safeguards that were initially scheduled to come into effect on April 14.

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House committee advances reckless bill that blocks life-saving silica standard

By Dan Radmacher | July 10, 2024 | 0

Today, the House Appropriations Committee approved a dangerous appropriations bill for the Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education. Among other disastrous provisions, the bill would block funding for the recently finalized rule to protect miners from silica dust

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Biden Admin Finalizes Silica Rule Update

By Dan Radmacher | May 12, 2024 | 0

A new federal rule would cut miners’ exposure to silica dust, but miners and their advocates have concerns about whether industry will follow the new rule under the current enforcement mechanisms.

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Rule to protect miners from silica falls short

By Quenton King | May 2, 2024 | 0

In April, the Mine Safety and Health Administration announced the final version of a rule meant to protect coal miners from respirable silica. The announcement was a long time coming.

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Appalachian Voices sees a missed opportunity with new rule to protect miners from black lung disease

By Dan Radmacher | April 17, 2024 | 0

Yesterday the Biden administration’s Mine Safety and Health Administration announced that it finalized a rule to protect miners from respirable silica — a significant driver of the resurgence of black lung disease in Central Appalachia.

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Miners, advocates voice their concerns about MSHA’s proposed silica rule

By Quenton King | August 15, 2023 | 0
Deputy Assistant Secretary Patricia Silvey moderated the silica hearing on Aug. 10.

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.

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