NEWSWATCH​
MINING
MSHA to Accept Further Comment on Miners’ Exposure to Diesel Exhaust
In response to stakeholder requests, MSHA has reopened the rulemaking record and extended the comment period for its request for information (RFI) on the exposure of underground miners to diesel exhaust. The RFI, which was published in June 2016, sought information and data on approaches to control and monitor underground miners’ exposures to diesel exhaust; non-permissible, light-duty, diesel-powered equipment in underground coal mines; the maintenance of diesel-powered equipment in underground coal mines and recordkeeping requirements; and more. The comment period for the RFI originally closed on Nov. 30, 2016, after which MSHA and NIOSH convened a “Diesel Exhaust Health Effects Partnership” with the mining industry, diesel engine manufacturers, academia, and representatives of organized labor. The partnership is intended to provide a forum for the exchange of scientific findings related to the health effects of diesel exhaust. More information about the partnership is available on MSHA’s
website
.
During the partnership’s first meeting on Dec. 8, 2016, stakeholders asked MSHA to open the comment period for the duration of the partnership’s proceedings. On Jan. 9, 2017, MSHA announced that the comment period for the RFI will be extended to Jan. 9, 2018.
For more information, including how to submit comments, see the
Federal Register
notice
.

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