NIOSH (National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health) Testimony on Coal Mine Health Research Before the Subcommittee on Labor Standards, House Committee on Education and Labor, by Edward J. Baier, June 29, 1977

摘要

The testimony discussed coal mine health research efforts and technical assistance programs offered by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) in support of protecting the health and safety of the miner. NIOSH has conducted research directed toward protection of life and health, detection of respiratory impairment, and prevention of occupational diseases of coal miners; established coal mine health standards; and assured the availability of medical examinations for underground coal miners. Morbidity and mortality studies indicated that coal mining continues to be one of the most hazardous occupations in the United States, causing excessive numbers of cases of chronic bronchitis and airway obstruction, coal workers' pneumoconiosis, deaths due to accidents and assorted respiratory diseases, and excessive numbers of lung cancer and stomach cancer deaths. Studies and workshops related to the following topics are mentioned: effects of exposure to coal mine dust levels at or below the 2 mg/m3 limit, introduction of diesel powered equipment, research gaps, hearing loss, the medical examination program for miners and the national coal workers' autopsy study.