Coal Miners' Health Exams Queue Up for Renewal
Published Date: 3/25/2026
Notice
Summary
The Mine Safety and Health Administration wants to keep collecting health check-up info from coal miners to keep them safe and healthy. They’re asking for public feedback by May 26, 2026, to make sure the process is clear and not too much work. This extension won’t add new costs but helps keep important health tracking going strong for miners.
Analyzed Economic Effects
2 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 1 costs, 0 mixed.
Free periodic health exams for miners
If you work as a coal miner, your employer must provide periodic medical exams at no cost to you. Exams must include chest x-rays, spirometry, symptom assessment, and occupational history at least every 5 years and be available during a 6‑month period that begins no less than 3.5 years and no more than 4.5 years from the end of the previous 6‑month period.
Recordkeeping and plan submission burden
Mine operators must develop and revise medical examination plans, update and submit miner rosters to NIOSH, and post approved plans on mine bulletin boards. MSHA estimates 634 annual respondents, 761 annual responses, an annual time burden of 296 hours, and annual recordkeeping costs of $228.
Personalized for You
How does this regulation affect your finances?
Personalize government policy and PRIA will tell you what this federal register document means for your household, plus every other regulation we track. PRIA reads each provision against your financial profile to show you exactly what matters to your wallet.
Key Dates
Department and Agencies
Related Federal Register Documents
2026-15670, Roof Control Plan Approval Criteria
In response to a public request, the Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) is reopening the rulemaking record and is scheduling a virtual public hearing on the Agency's proposed rule published on July 1, 2025, titled, "Roof Control Plan Approval Criteria."
2026-15717, Ventilation Plan Approval Criteria
In response to a public request, the Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) is reopening the rulemaking record and is scheduling a virtual public hearing on the Agency's proposed rule published on July 1, 2025, titled, "Ventilation Plan Approval Criteria."
2026-10456, Department of Labor Federal Civil Penalties Inflation Adjustment Act Annual Adjustments for 2026
Good news for businesses and workers: the Department of Labor won’t raise any fines or penalties in 2026 because the usual inflation data wasn’t available. This means all civil penalties stay the same starting May 27, 2026. So, no surprise cost hikes this year—just steady rules and steady fees!
2026-15140, Proposed Extension of Information Collection: Sealing of Abandoned Areas
The Mine Safety and Health Administration wants to keep collecting info about sealing off abandoned mine areas to keep miners safe. They’re asking for public feedback by September 25, 2026, to make sure the process is clear and not too much work. This extension won’t add extra costs but helps keep safety rules up to date for everyone involved in mining.
2026-15139, Proposed Extension of Information Collection: Safety Standards for Underground Coal Mine Ventilation-Belt Entry Used as an Intake Air Course To Ventilate Working Sections and Areas Where Mechanized Mining Equipment Is Being Installed or Removed
The Mine Safety and Health Administration wants to keep collecting info on how underground coal mines use belt entries for fresh air while installing or removing mining gear. This helps keep miners safe by making sure ventilation rules are followed. If you’re involved in coal mining, you can share your thoughts by September 25, 2026, with no new costs or big changes planned.
2026-15141, Proposed Extension of Information Collection: Safety Program for Surface Mobile Equipment
The Mine Safety and Health Administration wants to keep collecting info about safety programs for surface mobile equipment used in mines. This helps make sure workers stay safe while keeping paperwork easy and clear. If you’re involved with mining equipment, you can share your thoughts by September 25, 2026—no extra costs or big changes are planned right now.
Previous / Next Documents
Previous: 2026-05775, Logging Operations Standard; Extension of the Office of Management and Budget's (OMB) Approval of Information Collection (Paperwork) Requirements
OSHA is asking for public feedback to keep the paperwork rules for logging operations going strong. This affects logging companies who must keep certain records to stay safe and legal. Comments are open until May 26, 2026, and there’s no new cost—just a smooth extension of current rules.
Next: 2026-05777, Proposed Extension of Information Collection: Radiation Sampling and Exposure Records
The Mine Safety and Health Administration wants to keep collecting info about radiation exposure to keep miners safe. They’re asking for public feedback by May 26, 2026, to make sure the paperwork isn’t too much and is easy to understand. This extension won’t add new costs but helps keep important safety checks running smoothly.