Coal Workers’ X-ray Surveillance Program

The new MSHA Regulation 42 C.F.R. Part 37 provides all U.S. coal miners with the opportunity to have respiratory health testing. The testing is provided under the NIOSH Coal Workers’ Health Surveillance Program (CWHSP). The primary purpose of this testing is to prevent severe coal mining-related respiratory disease by detecting it early so miners can take steps to keep it from getting worse. This information also know if miners are being adequately protected from respiratory diseases including to coal workers’ pneumoconiosis (black lung), silicosis, COPD and other mining-related respiratory diseases.

Under the new rule, coal miners have the right to receive periodic chest x-rays and lung function tests at no cost to themselves. Operators must inform the miners when they are eligible and where they can go to receive these screening tests. All new miners must be provided this testing within the first 30 days of work once a Mine Plan is approved by NIOSH. Miners receive the results of their tests from NIOSH with clear interpretations of the findings and additional instructions if follow up is recommended. Miners with evidence of black lung on their chest x-rays are informed as to how to pursue their right to work with reduced dust exposure through the Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA). NIOSH will not share a miner’s individually identifiable test results without the permission of the miner or their legal representative.

To participate in the testing, coal miners should watch for the required notices about when and where the checkups will be available.

Operators and contractors of underground and surface coal mines are required to post a NIOSH-approved health examination plan providing health surveillance to their miners every five years. Coal mine operators must use the Coal Mine Operator’s Plan for submitting these Mine Plans. Coal mine contractors must use the Coal Contractor Plan to file their Mine Plans. For contractor personnel, eligible employees are those who require MSHA Part 48 training.

All coal mine operators must promptly display in a visible location on the bulletin board at the mine its proposed Plan when it is submitted to NIOSH.  The proposed Plan or change in Plan must remain posted in a visible location on the bulletin board until NIOSH either grants or denies approval of it at which time the approved Plan or denial of approval must be permanently posted.  In the case of an operator who does not have a bulletin board, such as an operator that is a contractor, they must otherwise notify their employees of the examination arrangements.  Upon request, the contractor must show NIOSH written evidence that its employees have been notified.  Contractors do not need to indicate at which mines they are operating, but should indicate the number of miles by road from the location of the contractor to the radiograph facility(ies).

Currently, the posted mine plan form only provides for radiographs and occupational history questionnaires. MSHA will be notifying operators and contractors when they need to add periodic spirometry and respiratory health assessment questionnaires to their plans.