On February 1, 2016, Phase II of MSHA’s respirable dust rule went into effect. It requires mine operators:
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To use continuous personal dust monitors (CPDMs) to monitor underground coal mine occupations exposed to the highest respirable dust concentrations as well as to monitor miners who have evidence of Black Lung (Part 90 miners);
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To collect an increased number of respirable coal mine dust samples in underground mines for occupations most exposed to respirable dust and for Part 90 miners;
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To notify miners more quickly on the results of respirable dust samples taken with the CPDM.
MSHA allows coal mine operators to transmit Continuous Personal Dust Monitor (CPDM) sample files to MSHA and check the status of previously uploaded files using the links below.