September, 2015 - Key Facts\nMines operate under stringent federal and state regulations established to protect workers and the environment. The Federal Mine Safety and Health Act of 1977 gives the U.S. Department of Labor the authority to issue and enforce health and safety standards for working conditions in underground and surface mining, milling and related operations. Within the Department of Labor, the Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) is responsible for oversight and enforcement of the mine safety act; the Occupational Safety and Health Administration has authority over occupational health and safety matters not regulated by MSHA.\n\nRequirements for mine safety include limiting worker exposure to radon, a common, naturally occurring gas that may be present in any type of underground mine. Radon has been linked to lung cancer and is especially hazardous for smokers, who already have a higher risk of lung cancer. Workers are exposed to radon decay products in various underground mining operations, including uranium, fluorspar, iron and tin. The federal government first established limits on radon in mines in 1967.\n\nThe U.S. mining industry works closely with employees and regulators to enhance worker safety, investing in advanced technology, training and systematic analysis of the causes of injuries with the goal of eliminating areas of potential risk. Safety standards and improved operating practices have lowered radon exposure among workers dramatically since the early years of uranium mining. Concentrations of radon gas in mines are monitored by the MSHA. \n\nThe most effective measures for controlling radon gas are dilution of the air and ventilation. All underground uranium mines have extensive ventilation systems, incorporating multiple vertical shafts and fans, to bring fresh air into the mines.
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