DOL again exploring health tied to underground diesel exhaust

The U.S. Department of Labor will reopen the public comment period regarding the agency’s request for information (RFI) on exposure of underground miners to diesel exhaust.

The Mine Safety & Health Administration (MSHA) published an RFI on June 8, 2016, seeking information and data on the effectiveness of the DOL’s existing standards and policy guidance on controlling miners’ exposure to diesel exhaust to protect miners’ health.

The RFI’s comment period originally closed on Nov. 30, 2016. However, after collaboration at a partnership meeting in December 2016, the comment period was reopened until Jan. 9, 2018.

In the time since then, MSHA received stakeholder requests to prevue additional time for all stakeholders to share input and data to best protect the health and safety of America’s miners, according to the DOL.

Comments must be received on or before midnight Eastern Standard Time by March 26, 2019.