Coal Workers' Health Surveillance Program

Black Lung Screenings

What to know

The NIOSH Coal Worker's Health Surveillance Program (CWHSP) offers periodic black lung screenings at no cost to coal miners in the U.S. Information about CWHSP screenings is provided on this page for coal miners, mining companies and operators, and health facilities.

Two coal miners with coal dust on them.

Screening information

The NIOSH mobile screening unit.
The NIOSH mobile screening unit.

NIOSH Mobile Unit - 2024

April

  • Walmart in Waynesburg, PA
    • Tuesday, April 16
    • 405 Murtha Dr, Waynesburg, PA 15370
    • 8am - 4pm
  • MSHA National Mine Health and Safety Academy
    • Tuesday, April 23 – Thursday, April 25
    • 1301 Airport Rd, Beaver, WV 25813
    • 8am - 4pm

June

  • Pipestem Resort State Park
    • Tuesday, June 4 – Thursday, June 6
    • 3405 Pipestem Drive, Pipestem, WV 25979
    • 8am – 4pm

July

  • Mylan Park
    • Tuesday, July 23 – Thursday, July 25
    • 500 Mylan Park Lane, Morgantown, WV 26501
    • 8am – 4pm
  • Craig Civic Center
    • Tuesday, July 30
    • 311 Tunnelton Street, Kingwood, WV 26537
    • 8am – 4pm

August

  • Wild Things Park
    • Monday, August 5
    • 1 Washington Federal Way, Washington, PA 15301
    • 8am – 4pm
  • Wheeling Park
    • Tuesday, August 6
    • 1801 National Road, Wheeling, WV 26003
    • 8am – 4pm
  • Holiday Inn Express & Suites
    • Wednesday, August 7
    • 2035 Southgate Parkway, Cambridge, OH 43725
    • 8am – 4pm
  • Holiday Inn Express & Suites
    • Thursday, August 8
    • 1101 Spring St, Zanesville, OH 43701
    • 8am – 4pm

September

  • Mercer Mall
    • Tuesday, September 10
    • 261 Mercer Mall Rd, Bluefield, WV 24701
    • 8am – 4pm
  • Holiday Inn Express & Suites Claypool Hill
    • Wednesday, September 11
    • 180 Clay Drive, Pounding Mill, VA 24637
    • 8am – 4pm
  • Southwest Virginia Higher Education Center
    • Thursday, September 12
    • 1 Partnership Circle, Abingdon, VA 24210
    • 8am – 4pm

Mobile Screening Services

Screenings through the mobile unit are free of charge for all coal miners and include:

NIOSH-approved Facilities

Black lung screenings are provided at NIOSH-approved facilities located in mining regions across the U.S. Information about facilities can be found at NIOSH Approved Facility Search and Map.

Notifications to Miners

The CWHSP will notify miners when they are eligible to participate and where they can receive screenings. Miners are also encouraged to check this web page, their mine plans, and watch for internal notices.

Additional announcements will be made through social media including NIOSH press releases, Facebook, Twitter, and news media in most local mining regions.

Results to Miners

The CWHSP shares screening results with miners only. The program will not share individual results without permission from the miner or their legal representative.

Miners with evidence of black lung are informed how to pursue their right to work in an area of a mine with reduced dust exposure through MSHA's Part 90 for Coal Miners.

If you are a miner and would like to request a copy of your screening records, email the program at CWHSP@cdc.gov.

Eligibility and requirements

Under federal regulations:

1. Miners are eligible for voluntary screenings about every 5 years during the mine's 6-month window (listed on your mine's Plan).

2. Mandatory examinations for miners or contractors new to coal mining are scheduled:

  • Within 30 days of employment.
  • Three years after initial examination.

Follow-up exams must be provided within 2 years if:

  • The 3-year x-ray shows evidence of pneumoconiosis (black lung).
  • Spirometry results indicate decreased lung function.

NOTE: Miners must be employed in coal mining for follow-up exams.

Mine operators and contractors are required to post a NIOSH-approved health examination plan. The plan should provide health surveillance to their miners every 5 years in a location visible to all miners.

Becoming an approved health facility

Coal miner health screenings must be performed by NIOSH-approved facilities. To become an approved facility, contact the CWHSP at cwhsp@cdc.gov. You will receive an approval packet that details requirements. Facilities may be approved for x-ray only, spirometry only, or both x-ray and spirometry.

Facilities applying for approval to provide x-rays should review 42 CFR Part 37 Specifications of Medical Examinations of Underground Coal Miners.

Contacts

Communication materials

Print
Content Source:
National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health