Control of Airborne Respirable Dust Hazards: A Training Program for Underground Coal Miners The Penn State Miner Training Program University Park, PA Raja V. Ramani, Ph.D., P.E, C.M.S.P. Mark C. Radomsky, Ph.D. MPA, C.M.S.P. Joseph P. Flick, M.S., C.M.S.P. March 31, 2003 Penn State

CENTERS FOR DISEASE CONTROL AND PREVENTION NATIONAL INSTITUTE FOR OCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH GENERIC MINERAL TECHNOLOGY CENTER ON RESPIRABLE DUST PENNSYLVANIA BUREAU OF DEEP MINE SAFETY

RESPIRABLE DUST TRAINING PROGRAM Section 12 MEDICAL SURVEILLANCE

Goals of Medical Surveillance  Goals of Medical Surveillance include:  Early identification of evidence of disease  Definition of the magnitude and distribution of disease among the miners  Tracking trends in the magnitude of the problem  Targeting mines and sections of mines that require increase attention to exposure control  Public dissemination of information

 Results of Medical Surveillance leads to:  New opportunities for prevention  Assess effectiveness of preventive actions  Appropriate policy decisions Results of Medical Surveillance

Miner participation is essential for the success of the Medical Surveillance Program!

Coal Workers’ X-Ray Surveillance Program  An initial X-Ray within six months of beginning employment  Another chest X-Ray three years after the initial examination  A third chest X-Ray two years following the second one if a miner is still engaged in coal mining and if the second X-Ray shows evidence of category I or higher CWP according to ILO classification

 Mine operators are required to offer periodic, voluntary chest X-Ray to miners approximately every five years.  The Mine Act requires that chest X-Rays are to be supplemented by “such other tests as Secretary of HHS deems necessary.”  30 CFR Part 90 - Any miner who shows evidence of the development of pneumoconiosis based on chest X-Ray or other medical examinations has the option to work in a low dust environment in the mine [ambient dust concentration < 1 mg/m 3 Coal Workers’ X-Ray Surveillance Program [Continued]

Proceed to Section 13 Important Reminders