Labour News

New Rules in U.S. for Diesel Particulate Levels

The U.S. Department of Labor reached a partial settlement in early July over legal challenges to the final rule on diesel particulate matter (DPM) levels in underground mines.

The government, labour and industry parties in the litigation reached agreement on the follow points:

Provisions, in effect on July 5, 2001, cover the use of low-sulphur fuel, engine maintenance and training.

Proposed rules will clarify that operators may transfer existing equipment among their own mines. They also will clarify the kinds of defects that, when tagged by an employee, require prompt attention from a mechanic, and when the mechanic must begin to examine the equipment.

MSHA will conduct sampling at mines beginning in August 2001.

The interim concentration limit of 400 micrograms/m3 is to go into effect on July 19, 2002, and the final limit of 160 micrograms/m3 is to become effective on January 19, 2006. MSHA will evaluate the appropriateness of these limits in light of its sampling results.

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