Respiratory Conditions

Washington – Coal miners seeking benefits under the Black Lung Benefits Act wait hundreds of days for their cases to be heard, despite government efforts to speed up the process, Sen. Bob Casey (D-PA) claimed during a July 22 hearing of the Senate Employment and Workplace Safety Subcommittee.

Atlanta – To help protect health care providers and facilities from the dangers of Middle East Respiratory Syndrome, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has developed checklists for infection control actions.

Washington – Firefighters who work for federal agencies and contract certain diseases on the job would be ensured federal workers’ compensation coverage under newly introduced bipartisan legislation.

Arlington, VA – As the Mine Safety and Health Administration announces its intent to work with the mining industry on implementing the agency’s recent final rule on coal dust, some mining companies and organizations are actively pushing back.

Arlington, VA – The Mine Safety and Health Administration on April 23 released a final rule intended to lower miners’ exposure to coal mine dust and help end the prevalence of deadly diseases collectively known as black lung.

Washington – Three weeks of informal hearings regarding OSHA’s proposed crystalline silica rulemaking are set to kick off on March 18.

Washington – Many industry stakeholders used a public comment period, which closed Feb. 11, to voice opposition to OSHA’s proposed rule on reducing the permissible exposure limit for crystalline silica.

Montreal – Most construction workers exposed to crystalline silica dust are at risk of developing occupational diseases over the long term, a new report from scientific research organization IRSST suggests.

Washington – OSHA’s current rule on silica is based on obsolete analytical data, and exposure at the current permissible exposure limit results in “significant risks of death” from cancer and other diseases, the agency said during a Jan. 14 webchat that discussed proposed updates to the rule.

Washington – OSHA has scheduled a webchat for Jan. 14 on the agency’s proposed rule on respirable silica.