Coal Miners and Advocates Plead With Trump to Enforce Black Lung Rule
Department of Labor, miners and their advocates stressed the need to limit silica exposure and protect workers from irreversible health impacts.
Coal miners, their family members and union representatives rallied outside of the U.S. Department of Labor’s headquarters in Washington, urging the Trump administration to enforce a rule that was meant to protect miners from serious health complications but has been on hold for months.
The rally, which included members of the National Black Lung Association and the United Mine Workers of America (UMWA), sought to highlight how lax industry standards for exposure to dangerous substances have impacted workers, and demand the government move forward with stricter protections.
A new Biden-era rule, which went into effect in June 2024, was meant to limit miners’ exposure to silica dust, which is released during the mining process.
Author's summary: Miners rally for silica exposure limit enforcement.