Abstract
Following passage of the Coal Mine Health and Safety Act of 1969, underground coal mine operators were required to take air samples in order to monitor compliance with the exposure limit for respirable dust, a task essential for the prevention of pneumoconiosis among coal workers. Miners objected, claiming that having the mine operators perform this task was like "having the fox guard the chicken coop." This article is a historical narrative of mining industry corruption and of efforts to reform the program of monitoring exposure to coal mine dust. Several important themes common to the practice of occupational health are illustrated; most prominently, that employers should not be expected to regulate themselves.
| Original language | English (US) |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 1236-1244 |
| Number of pages | 9 |
| Journal | American Journal of Public Health |
| Volume | 93 |
| Issue number | 8 |
| State | Published - Aug 2003 |
| Externally published | Yes |
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ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health
Cite this
The Fox Guarding the Chicken Coop : Monitoring Exposure to Respirable Coal Mine Dust, 1969-2000. / Weeks, James L.
In: American Journal of Public Health, Vol. 93, No. 8, 08.2003, p. 1236-1244.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article
}
TY - JOUR
T1 - The Fox Guarding the Chicken Coop
T2 - Monitoring Exposure to Respirable Coal Mine Dust, 1969-2000
AU - Weeks, James L.
PY - 2003/8
Y1 - 2003/8
N2 - Following passage of the Coal Mine Health and Safety Act of 1969, underground coal mine operators were required to take air samples in order to monitor compliance with the exposure limit for respirable dust, a task essential for the prevention of pneumoconiosis among coal workers. Miners objected, claiming that having the mine operators perform this task was like "having the fox guard the chicken coop." This article is a historical narrative of mining industry corruption and of efforts to reform the program of monitoring exposure to coal mine dust. Several important themes common to the practice of occupational health are illustrated; most prominently, that employers should not be expected to regulate themselves.
AB - Following passage of the Coal Mine Health and Safety Act of 1969, underground coal mine operators were required to take air samples in order to monitor compliance with the exposure limit for respirable dust, a task essential for the prevention of pneumoconiosis among coal workers. Miners objected, claiming that having the mine operators perform this task was like "having the fox guard the chicken coop." This article is a historical narrative of mining industry corruption and of efforts to reform the program of monitoring exposure to coal mine dust. Several important themes common to the practice of occupational health are illustrated; most prominently, that employers should not be expected to regulate themselves.
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UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/citedby.url?scp=0042384890&partnerID=8YFLogxK
M3 - Article
VL - 93
SP - 1236
EP - 1244
JO - American Journal of Public Health
JF - American Journal of Public Health
SN - 0090-0036
IS - 8
ER -