POUNDING
MILL, Va. — Mark McCowan knew he had inhaled a lot of coal dust during
20 years of operating heavy equipment in underground mines in southwest
Virginia.
But at 40 years old, he had no symptoms of disease, and a chest X-ray taken eight years earlier had shown nothing amiss.
Plus, a federal law enacted to eliminate coal workers' pneumoconiosis — black lung — had been in effect for more than 35 years.
Yet,
after McCowan followed a friend's example and got a second chest X-ray
in April 2005, he found he was another example that the nation's
commitment to eliminating black lung has been imperfectly fulfilled.
With all the confusion surrounding activities and actions related to SCSR plans, installation and the receipt of ordered units from the manufacturers, we were concerned that members were feeling forced to purchase units that were different from the ones specified in their plans. Many were concerned that diminished safety would result in having different brands of SCSR's within the same mine and would bring confusion, complicated training and reduced confidence. Therefore, we suggest the following actions be taken: Confirm your orders with your manufacturer/supplier and compile your documented communications with them relative to your plan and their estimates for delivery. Include your history of contact with the supplier that demonstrates your pursuit of getting the units delivered by the dates specified in your plan (probably the dates were given to you by the supplier to begin with).
Do not "run out" and purchase SCSR's that are different from your plan before calling the Association at 304-342-4153. Considerable efforts are underway with discussions and conversations occurring among companies, agencies, manufacturers and suppliers in order to rectify the situation in ways that maximize safety and protection. If you have any questions, please call the Association.
