Uncle Sam Pays for Coal Miners' Free Lung Checkups?
Published Date: 8/19/2026
Notice
Summary
The Department of Labor is asking for public feedback on rules that require coal miners to get free health check-ups every 5 years, including chest x-rays and breathing tests. Mine operators must keep a list of miners and share their health plans with the government. Comments are open until September 18, 2026, and this helps keep miners safe without costing them a dime.
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 (chest x-rays, spirometry, symptom assessment, and occupational history) at no cost to you. You must be offered the opportunity to have these examinations at least every 5 years, and mine operators must develop and submit a plan to NIOSH and post the approved plan on the mine bulletin board.
Reporting and burden for mine operators
Coal mine operators must prepare and submit to NIOSH a plan for providing the required periodic exams, maintain a roster with each miner's name and current address, and post the approved plan on the mine bulletin board. The Department estimates the affected public as private-sector businesses with 634 respondents, 761 responses, a total annual time burden of 296 hours, and annual other costs of $228; DOL seeks OMB authorization for 3 years (OMB Control Number 1219-0152).
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