1. Black Lung Disease
All lung diseases associated with chronic overexposure to coal dust
Chronic Bronchitis
Silicosis
Coal Workers’ Pneumoconiosis
Chronic disease
Fibrosis of the lung
Range from simple to progressive disease
Coal dust without silica can still be harmful and result in fibrotic lung disease, or coal workers’ pneumoconiosis. Progressive massive fibrosis will cause shortness of breath, coughing and pain during breathing, and may result in permanent disability and early death.
Western Mining Resource Center
Colorado School of Mines

2. Black Lung Cases 1968 to 1992 January 1992 to June 1997
60,000 workers died of black
lung and related complications
January 1992 to June 1997
1,914 reported cases of black lung
Data from MSHA Part 50 data
Source: MSHA Pamphlet: Dust – What you can’t see can hurt you!
Western Mining Resource Center
Colorado School of Mines

3. Black Lung Cases by Occupation (January 92 to June 97)
NUMBER
Laborer/Utility Man/Bullgang
304
Mechanic/Repairman/Helper
183
Roof Bolter/Helper
154
Continuous Miner Operator/Helper
136
Supervisor/Management/Foreman
133
Shuttle Car/Tram Operator
113
Belt/Conveyor Man/Crew
101
Western Mining Resource Center
Colorado School of Mines

4. Black Lung Cases by Occupation (January 92 to June 97)
NUMBER
Electrician/Helper/Wireman 93
Bulldozer/Tractor Operator 59
Truck Driver 56
Scoop Car/Tram/Load Haul Dump Operator 51
Longwall Jacksetter/Swamper/Snaker/ Operator/Helper 35
Other
486
Western Mining Resource Center
Colorado School of Mines

5. Federal Black Lung Program
Number of beneficiaries and total payments made by the Social Security Administration (SSA) and Department of Labor (DOL).
Social Security had initial responsibility for program. DOL was given responsibility for the program starting July I, SSA remains responsible for all claims made prior to this date and also all survivor claims associated with these claims.
Source: Work-Related Lung Disease Surveillance Report 1999, Published 2000 by NIOSH (Publication NO )
Western Mining Resource Center
Colorado School of Mines

6. Coal Workers’ Pneumoconiosis
Symptoms
Shortness of breath
Coughing
Pain during breathing
Night sweats
Weight loss
Chest pain
Enlarged heart/heart failure
May result in permanent disability and early death
If miner is removed from exposure to coal dust, lung damage will still occur. There is no cure for CWP.
Western Mining Resource Center
Colorado School of Mines

7. Stages of CWP Simple CWP Miner may not seem sick
Can still work and do most normal activities
Complicated CWP
Scar tissue develops
Also called progressive massive fibrosis
Considered permanent disability
Two stages of CWP:
Simple CWP: Seen on an X-ray as small spots less than 10 millimeters in diameter. The spots are due to a collection of coal dust around the respiratory bronchioles. With continuing exposure, more dust is deposited and lesions called macules are formed. The macules are actually macrophages loaded with dust. With Simple CWP, the miner may not seem sick.
Complicated CWP: If exposure to coal dust continues, scar tissue will form in the lungs. Many of the symptoms listed on previous slide occur. The miner may also die from pneumonia or other infections.
Western Mining Resource Center
Colorado School of Mines

8. CWP: Number of Deaths, Crude and Age-Adjusted Mortality Rates (1968-1996)
Source: NIOSH, Work-Related Lung Disease Surveillance Report 1999,
Western Mining Resource Center
Colorado School of Mines

9. CWP: Crude Mortality Rates by State (1987-1996)
Source: NIOSH, Work-Related Lung Disease Surveillance Report 1999,
Western Mining Resource Center
Colorado School of Mines

10. CWP: Number of Deaths by State (1987-1996)
Source: NIOSH, Work-Related Lung Disease Surveillance Report 1999,
States with rates > 10 deaths/million
Western Mining Resource Center
Colorado School of Mines

11. CWP: Number of Deaths by Age (1987-1996)
Source: NIOSH, Work-Related Lung Disease Surveillance Report 1999,
Total Deaths = 18,245
Western Mining Resource Center
Colorado School of Mines

12. CWP: Most Frequently Recorded Occupations (1987-1996)
Number
Percent
Mining Machine Operators
3,811
70.0
Laborers, not construction
172
3.2
Managers/Administrators 73
1.3
Truck Drivers 66
1.2
Janitors/Cleaners 59
1.1
Electricians 55
1.0
Construction Laborers 52
Carpenters 46
0.8
Machine Operators
Farmers 45
All other occupations
801
14.7
Occupation not reported
221
4.1
Most frequently recorded occupations on death certificate
Source: NIOSH, Work-Related Lung Disease Surveillance Report 1999,
Western Mining Resource Center
Colorado School of Mines

13. Percentage of Examined Miners with CWP by Tenure in Mining (1970-1996)
Source: NIOSH, Work-Related Lung Disease Surveillance Report 1999,
Western Mining Resource Center
Colorado School of Mines

14. CWP: Estimated Number of Actively Employed Underground Coal Miners and Number Examined (1970-1996)
Source: NIOSH, Work-Related Lung Disease Surveillance Report 1999,
Western Mining Resource Center
Colorado School of Mines

15. Number of MSHA and OSHA Inspector Coal Mine Dust Samples and Percent Exceeding the PEL (1970-1996)
Source: NIOSH, Work-Related Lung Disease Surveillance Report 1999,
Western Mining Resource Center
Colorado School of Mines

16. Number of MSHA & OSHA Inspector Coal Mine Dust Samples & Average Severity Levels (1970-1996)
Source: NIOSH, Work-Related Lung Disease Surveillance Report 1999,
Western Mining Resource Center
Colorado School of Mines

17. Western Mining Resource Center Colorado School of Mines