July 20, 2018
More than 10 percent of America’s coal miners with 25 or more years of experience have black lung disease, the highest rate recorded in roughly two decades, according to a government study released on Thursday that showed cases concentrated heavily …
August 8, 2017
Ray Hatfield Jr. was six months into his latest coal job when he was crushed to death in a Kentucky mine. Hatfield, a 23-year industry veteran, was cleaning a conveyor belt that shuttled coal to the surface of the Appalachian …
December 27, 2016
The nation’s coal mines are headed for another record low year in workplace deaths, and the outgoing federal mine safety chief said he’s hopeful that mining companies will work with the incoming Trump administration to continue that progress. Joe Main …
February 3, 2016
Underground coal mines will ramp up testing for the dust that causes breathing problems and leads to black lung disease under a new federal rule that took effect February 1. The U.S. Mine Safety and Health Administration is requiring coal …
September 24, 2014
Sens. Jay Rockefeller of West Virginia and Bob Casey of Pennsylvania unveiled legislation last week aimed at ensuring fairer treatment for coal miners with black lung disease as they pursue benefits claims. The bill by the two Democratic senators from …
August 21, 2014
New federal rules that labor officials say could save lives at dangerous mining sites have survived a court challenge from mining industry groups. The 6th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals this week dismissed the lawsuit brought by the National Mining …
April 23, 2014
The Obama administration ordered a 25 percent cut in the levels of coal dust in U.S. mines to reduce deadly black lung disease, a move that drew criticism from the mining industry and the threat of a lawsuit. The rule …
September 19, 2011
The National Mining Association says it’s launching a program to get companies collaborating so mine operators with poor safety records can learn from those with good ones. The goal is to eliminate deaths and cut injuries in half within five …