7/27/2018 MSHA/NIOSH Diesel Exhaust Health Effects Partnership meeting

Meeting summary

The third MSHA/NIOSH Diesel Exhaust Health Effects Partnership meeting was held on July 27, 2018. Approximately 50 representatives of mining associations (IMA-NA, NSSGA), unions (UMWA), mining companies (Alliance Coal, LLC,  Carmeuse Lime and Stone, Contura Energy, Genesis Alkai, Lhoist North America of VA, Mississippi Lime Co., Murray Energy, RT Vanderbilt Holding Co., Inc., Tata Chemicals), OEMs (Classic Motors, Inc., Cummins, Inc.), law firms (Armstrong Teasdale LLP, Crowell & Moring), and federal and state government agencies (MSHA, NIOSH, PA Bureau of Mine Safety) attended the meeting in-person or over the phone. The meeting was co-chaired by Jessica E. Kogel, Ph.D., Associate Director for Mining, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) , R.J. Matetic, Director of Pittsburgh Mining Research Division (PMRD), NIOSH and Partricia Silvey, Deputy Assistant Secretary, Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA).

The participants discussed the potential ramifications of proposed changes on the introduction of low emitting engines in underground mines in the U.S.  In the continuation of the meeting, the participants discussed the proposal for changes to the partnership charter that would allow for development of the most effective path forward toward addressing the issues related to industry efforts to reduce exposures of underground miners to diesel aerosols and gases. The participants agreed that the efforts should be initiated with an one-day workshop that should provide critical overview of the technologies and strategies available to underground mining industry to address issues related to exposure of underground miners to diesel particulate matter. The effort on organizing the workshop would be spearheaded by the organizing committee formed from the representatives of all interested parties.