Coal Workers’ Health Surveillance Program
Photo by NIOSH
The NIOSH Coal Workers’ Health Surveillance Program (CWHSP) was established by the Federal Coal Mine Health and Safety Act of 1969 (amended in 1977). The program studies the causes and effects of respiratory diseases related to coal mine dust exposure.
Mobile screenings
Black lung screenings are provided by the NIOSH staff who travel the U.S. in state-of-the-art mobile testing units. Screenings include:
- Work history and respiratory health questionnaires
- Chest x-rays
- Lung function testing (spirometry)
- Blood pressure screening
2023 Schedule
Location
Location
Date
Date
Time
Time
Bear Run Mine – 7255 Country Rd 600, Carlisle, IN 47838 (Company miners only)
Bear Run Mine – 7255 Country Rd 600, Carlisle, IN 47838 (Company miners only)
April 17-20
April 17-20
7am-5pm
7am-5pm
Longview Occupational Medical Clinic – 3202 Fourth St, Longview, TX 75605
Longview Occupational Medical Clinic – 3202 Fourth St, Longview, TX 75605
April 24
April 25
April 24
April 25
8am-4:30pm
8am-12pm
8am-4:30pm
8am-12pm
Kosse Strip Mine – 4731 TX-7, Kosse, TX 76653 (Company miners only)
Kosse Strip Mine – 4731 TX-7, Kosse, TX 76653 (Company miners only)
April 26-28
April 26-28
7am-5pm
7am-5pm
Holiday Inn Express Jourdanton – 350 Medical Dr, Jourdanton, TX 78026
Holiday Inn Express Jourdanton – 350 Medical Dr, Jourdanton, TX 78026
May 1
May 1
8am-4:30pm
8am-4:30pm
San Miguel Lignite Mine – 9200 Peeler Ln, Christine, TX 78012 (Company miners only)
San Miguel Lignite Mine – 9200 Peeler Ln, Christine, TX 78012 (Company miners only)
May 2-4
May 2-4
7am-5pm
7am-5pm
Announcements for black lung screenings are made through NIOSH press releases, Facebook , and Twitter. Announcements are also made through local newspapers and radio stations.
Clinic screenings
Black lung screenings are provided at NIOSH-approved clinics located in mining regions across the U.S. Information about facilities can be found at NIOSH Approved Facility Search and Map.
Coal mining-related respiratory diseases are caused by breathing in coal mine dust.
Pneumoconiosis
Pneumoconiosis refers to scarring of lung tissue when breathing in mineral dusts. The primary types of pneumoconiosis seen in coal miners are coal workers’ pneumoconiosis (also called black lung), silicosis and mixed dust pneumoconiosis. is another type of pneumoconiosis, usually seen in other work settings. For more information on the following lung diseases see Pneumoconiosis.
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is a lung disease that can impair movement of air into and out of the lungs. It can also impair the ability of the lungs to take up oxygen and remove carbon dioxide from the body. COPD includes chronic bronchitis and emphysema.
For more information see the CDC COPD web page. To learn about work-related COPD through interviews with a physician and patients diagnosed with the disease see the video Faces of Work-related COPD.
Part 90
The U.S. Department of Labor announced an effort to raise awareness of regulations that give coal miners with development of pneumoconiosis, or black lung, the right to work at a section of a mine with lower levels of dust without having their pay reduced or fearing discrimination or termination. Learn more at Miner Health Matters.
National Autopsy Study
The Mine Safety and Health Act of 1977 authorizes the Department of Health and Human Services to provide coal miner autopsies and to pay for their submission to NIOSH. Please refer to Specification for Medical Examinations of Coal Miners Subpart Autopsies for information on payment for autopsy, autopsy specifications, and procedures for obtaining payment. At this time, funding is not available to pay for autopsies.
Medical records, mine plans, forms
Mining Contacts
Communication Materials
Why Black Lung Screenings are Important for Coal Miners – Infographic
NIOSH Coal Workers’ Health Surveillance Program – Fact Sheet
Enhanced Coal Workers’ Health Surveillance Program (Screenings) – Fact Sheet
Publication Search
Search the NIOSHTIC-2 database to find additional occupational and safety health publications on this topic from NIOSH or a NIOSH supported project.
NIOSH Respiratory Disease Division
1000 Frederick Lane, Morgantown, WV 26508
CWHSP@cdc.gov | 1-888-480-4042