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.
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Key Dates
Department and Agencies
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