New Federal Rule to Protect Coal Miners from Silica Dust

The Labor Department issued a new federal rule to better protect coal miners from poisonous silica dust, which has caused thousands of premature deaths from black lung disease. The rule cuts the permissible exposure limit for crystalline silica in half for an eight-hour shift.

Safety Regulations in Mines

New safety rules in mines aim to protect miners from toxic silica dust, potentially saving thousands of lives. The regulations tighten exposure limits and require monitoring of air quality. Miners will now have the same silica exposure limits as other workers in the U.S.