Mine Safety: Diesel Safety

Chairman Miller Urges Chao to Protect Miners, Not Mine Operators

Chairman George Miller urged Labor Secretary Elaine Chao to ensure the protection of metal and nonmetal miners by not allowing mine operators to take advantage of loopholes the Bush administration has created for them to avoid compliance with health rules. Chairman Miller made it clear that he wants to be informed anytime Chao grants an extension of time to a mine operator for compliance with the requirements of a critical health rule. He also urged her to post such information on the Labor Department's website. Read the March 2007 letter »

About Diesel Particulate Matter

Workers in underground metal and nonmetal mines – such as salt, limestone, gold, and silver mines – often use diesel-powered equipment that emits fumes containing fine particles known as “diesel particulate matter.” Researchers have concluded that exposure to these particles in the average metal or nonmetal mine over an eight-hour period can be anywhere from 27 to 162 times the level of exposure on the streets of Los Angeles over a one-year period.  Research has also shown – overwhelmingly – that such exposure to diesel particulate matter can greatly increase the risk of a range of illnesses, from headaches to cancer and heart disease.

Bush Administration Slowed Regulation of Diesel Particulate Matter

Near the end of its second term, the Clinton administration published regulations to help reduce mine workers’ exposure to diesel particulate matter inside metal and nonmetal mines.  The regulations provided for a phased implementation, concluding in 2006. Now, following a number of changes by the Bush administration to weaken and delay the rules, the final limit on miner exposure will go into effect in June 2008. The District of Columbia Court of Appeals recently rejected challenges to the rule by the mining industry.

Among the Bush administration changes are loopholes that can be used by recalcitrant mine operators to delay full compliance. Chairman Miller is working to ensure that light is shined on such activity.

In January 2006, Democrats Urged Chao to Stop Delaying Diesel Safety Measure

In January 2006, House Democrats, led by then-Ranking Committee Member Miller, sent U.S. Labor Secretary Elaine Chao a letter urging her to immediately implement a regulation to reduce mine workers’ risk of getting cancer or heart disease from diesel fumes. 

This was prompted by a Bush administration proposal to delay for five years the implementation of a federal regulation that would reduce mine workers' risk of getting cancer or heart disease from diesel fumes. The administration ultimately backed away from this outrageous proposal, although it did delay the rule's final implementation for another 18 months.