Thousands Of Miners Contract Lung Disease After Long-Term Exposure To Dust

Case Overview

This is a class action case of several thousand miners suffering from lung fibrosis as a result of their exposure to dust over the last twenty years. This litigation alleged that the mining companies that owned or operated 100+ different mines were aware of the dangers posed to miners by dust and chose not to take action to improve these conditions. It was alleged that the defendants failed to execute the steps mandated in regulations and legislation designed to protect miners from dust exposure. An expert in the proper design and ventilation of a mine was sought to explain how mine ventilation systems should be installed to reduce worker exposure to dust.

Questions to the OSHA expert and their responses

Please briefly describe your experience in the design and ventilation of gold mines.

I worked for a mine health and safety administration for 30+ years. At this agency, I worked on mine ventilation and dust control. I retired as chief of the dust division. Since retiring, I have worked as a consultant in the area of mine dust control. I have done studies in South America and Asia Pacific, as well as worked on product liability cases for U.S. equipment manufacturers. Most of these products cases were on behalf of defendants, however, I worked on a class action suit on behalf of the plaintiff.

Are you able to speak to how mine ventilation systems should be installed so as to best reduce worker exposure to dust and other harmful materials?

I can speak to technical issues of mine ventilation.

About the expert

This expert of engineering and mining specializes in the assessment and control of airborne contaminants. He served on the US Mine Safety and Health Administration for more than 30 years and has extensive experience with environmental assessment and correction in mines. He is a member of the Society of Mining Engineers and has authored more than 45 publications relating to dust control and mine ventilation.