Published: August 18, 2008 10:22 pm      

Black lung anniversary celebration planned

Editor’s note: This is the first part in a two-part series on the black lung program and events planned to celebrate its 30th anniversary.



West Virginia offices in Charleston and Parkersburg that administer claims under the Black Lung Benefits Act will celebrate their 30th anniversary in Charleston Thursday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

The black lung benefit program was established by the Federal Coal Mine Health and Safety Act of 1969 to provide monthly benefit payments to coal miners totally disabled as a result of pneumoconiosis, to the widows of coal miners who died as a result of pneumoconiosis and to their dependents.

The offices in Charleston and Parkersburg were created as a result of the enactment in 1978 of the 1977 amendments to the 1969 health and safety act.

Coal miners and their survivors are invited to attend Thursday’s celebration.

Sen. Robert Byrd and then-Congressman Ken Hechler are considered leaders of the efforts to establish black lung laws. Hechler will speak at the celebration in a discussion on the passage of the Federal Coal Mine Health and Safety Act of 1969. Joining him will be Dr. Hawey A. Wells Jr. and Dr. Donald L. Rasmussen, a Beckley doctor who is also known as a champion of black lung benefits for miners.

Also scheduled to attend are Gov. Joe Manchin, Sen. Jay Rockefeller, Rep. Shelley Moore Capito and United Mine Workers of America President Cecil Roberts. Several coal experts and public officials also will appear.

Registration and refreshments begin at 8 a.m.

A tour of the NIOSH X-ray surveillance mobile unit, used in black lung screenings, also will be offered.

Anyone interested in black lung information or the 30th anniversary event can call 800-347-3749.

West Virginia black lung statistics

What is black lung disease?

What causes coal workers’ pneumoconiosis?