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“US mining has enjoyed years of continued improvements with regard to safe operations, with falling fatalities highlighting an industry that is more aware than ever of the risks faced by its employees. Figures from the Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) show that fatalities at US mining operations have fallen slightly in recent years, from 28 in 2017 to 27 in 2019, and significantly since the turn of the millennium, with the 85 deaths reported in 2000 close to triple the 2019 figure.” This article was originally published in Mining Technology. Read more here.

The United Mine Workers (UMW) and the United Steelworkers unions have filed a petition asking the US Circuit Court of Appeals at the district of Columbia “for an expedited order against the US Mine Safety and Health Administration.” According to Mining Technology, the petition asserts that the US Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) has failed to issue emergency temporary standards for infectious diseases that would be legally binding on all mine operators, putting the lives and health of tens of thousands of miners in “grave danger.” Originally reported on Mining Technology. Read the full article here.

The National Coalition of Black Lung & Respiratory Disease Clinics’ annual September conference will now be held virtually. Stay tuned for further details!

The Black Lung Center of Excellence is currently working with staff to change the look of our website!

A total of 15 Black Lung Clinic Programs were given funding by HRSA to continue their great work! The total amount awarded is approximately $11.2 million. Our very own program at the University of Illinois – Chicago was one of those who received funding. Click here for more information.

“Concern has been raised that pulmonary function testing could represent a potential avenue for COVID 19 transmission due to the congregation of patients with lung disease and because of the potential for coughing and droplet formation surrounding pulmonary function testing procedures. We recognize that most patients are screened for symptoms and travel before entry into our health care systems, but it is more difficult to screen and assess pulmonary patients who are more likely to have respiratory symptoms unrelated to COVID 19. There remain many unknowns about the possibility of transmission in this setting and the data are in evolution; however, [...]

Attached is a recommendation from ERS Group 9.1 (Respiratory function technologists /Scientists) for healthcare professionals performing lung function testing during the COVID-19 pandemic.

On April 17th a letter was sent to President Trump by U.S. Senators Joe Manchin III (D-WV), Sherrod Brown (D-OH), Richard J. Durbin (D-IL), Robert P. Casey, Jr. (D-PA), Tim Kaine (D-VA), Doug Jones (D-AL), Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and Mark R. Warner (D-VA) echoing the UMWA’s call to the Mine Safety and Health Administration to exercise its authority to issue emergency standards to safeguard miners as the nation continues to grapple with the COVID-19 pandemic. Click the link to read the letter: https://umwa.org/news-media/news/letter-to-president-trump-msha-covid-19-safety-standard/