"Eight years later, some coal miners are saying they are in crisis because of the administration's inaction on industry safety. Miners on Tuesday are gathering outside the Labor Department building to protest the Trump administration's move to indefinitely postpone the federal enforcement of a rule limiting exposure to carcinogenic silica dust particles. Miners argue increased subjection to the dust has led to an eruption of black lung disease, an incurable disease associated with inhaling the particles."
""The mine workers obviously take extreme interest in the passing of the silica rule, because it is our members and our workers that are being affected by silica dust exposure on a daily basis," Erin Bates, director of communications of the United Mine Workers of America (UMWA) which represents coal miners, told Fortune. "Every single day that this rule is not in place means another death for a coal miner.""
Coal miners are protesting the administration's indefinite postponement of federal enforcement of a silica dust exposure rule, arguing the delay increases carcinogenic exposure and drives a rise in black lung disease. Black lung cases have risen since the 1990s as newer, shallower mining practices kick up more silica dust, especially in Appalachia. The United Mine Workers of America says each day without the rule risks miner deaths. UMWA president Cecil Roberts will speak at the protest. Retired miner Gary Hairston described long-term disability and lost activities due to black lung. The administration is working on policies to support blue-collar workers like coal miners.
Read at Fortune
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