Health Standards for Diesel Particulate Matter Exposure (Underground Metal and Nonmetal Mines)

Under Section 101(a) of the Federal Mine Safety and Health Act of 1977 (Mine Act), and Title 5, United States Code, Section 553, the Secretary of Labor shall develop, promulgate, and revise as may be appropriate, improved mandatory health or safety standards for the protection of life and prevention of injuries in coal or other mines. Diesel particulate matter (DPM) is a probable carcinogen that consists of tiny particles present in diesel engine exhaust that can readily penetrate into the deepest recesses of the lungs. Despite ventilation, the confined underground mine work environment may contribute to significant concentrations of particles produced by equipment used in the mine. Underground miners are exposed to higher concentrations of DPM than any other occupational group. As a result, they face a significantly greater risk than other workers of developing such diseases as lung cancer, heart failure, serious allergic responses and other cardiopulmonary problems. The DPM rule establishes a permissible exposure limit (PEL) to total carbon, which is a surrogate for measuring a miner's exposure to DPM. The rule includes a number of other requirements for the protection of miners' health. The DPM existing rule contains information collection requirements for underground MNM mine operators under regulations 30 C.F.R. §§ 57.5060, 57.5065, 57.5066, 57.5070, 57.5071, and 57.5075.

The latest form for Health Standards for Diesel Particulate Matter Exposure (Underground Metal and Nonmetal Mines) expires 2022-06-30 and can be found here.