The administration has delayed enforcement of a silica dust standard intended to protect Appalachian coal miners. Labor unions and advocates say the administration is working with coal companies to shield corporate profits while miners remain exposed to toxic crystalline silica released when rock is broken to access shrinking coal seams. MSHA finalized a rule in April 2024 that halved allowable airborne silica levels and required medical monitoring for black lung. Miners and allies petitioned for updated standards since 2009, but court extensions and behind-closed-doors negotiations have postponed the rule’s effective date, increasing health risks for miners.
President Donald Trump for years has championed what he calls the "beautiful" coal industry, even while he has been criticized for using coal miners as political props while ignoring policies that would improve their lives. Now, advocates for Appalachian coal miners say the Trump administration is literally leaving them in the dust - the toxic crystalline silica released into the air as miners break up rock to exploit shrinking coal seams.
Labor unions and advocates of Appalachian miners say the Trump administration is working with coal companies to shield corporate profits and delay enforcement of a silica dust rule meant to protect miners from black lung disease, a chronic and potentially debilitating condition. Despite decades of advocacy for tougher silica standards by multiple generations of coal miners, the dust continues to sicken workers.
Collection
[
|
...
]