The U.S. Department of Labor’s Mine Safety and Health Administration recently launched a new initiative to protect the nation’s miners from health hazards resulting from overexposure to respirable crystalline silica.

In a June 8 news release, the MSHA announced a new initiative designed to reduce the effect of silica dust on thousands of miners each year who face risks of serious illnesses, many of which can be fatal. Crystalline silica, which is found throughout the Earth's crust, can lead to pneumoconiosis, progressive massive fibrosis, silicosis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, cancers and kidney disease.

“Simply put, protecting miners from unhealthy levels of silica cannot wait,” said Assistant Secretary for Mine Safety and Health Chris Williamson in the release. “We are committed to using every tool in MSHA’s toolbox to protect miners from developing debilitating and deadly lung diseases that are entirely preventable. We have seen too many miners carrying oxygen tanks and struggling to breathe just to take a few steps or do the simplest of tasks after having their lungs destroyed by toxic levels of respirable dust.”

Through the new program, MSHA will conduct silica dust-related mine inspections and expand silica sampling at mines, while also providing mine operators with compliance assistance and best practices to limit miners’ exposure to silica dust, according to the release.

“Our agency is working hard and is committed to issuing a silica rule that will enhance health protections for all miners. The enforcement initiative that we are announcing today is a step we can take now while we continue the rulemaking process toward the development of an improved mandatory health standard,” Williamson added, according to the release.