Division of Coal Mine Workers' Compensation (DCMWC)
The Division of Coal Mine Workers' Compensation has issued a final rule establishing digital radiography standards for the Black Lung Benefits Act program. The addition of digital radiography standards to the current regulations is meant to supplement, not replace, current film radiography standards. The proposed regulations address:
- technical standards applicable to X-rays obtained using Digital Radiography or Computed Radiography systems
- the interpretation of digital radiographs using the Guidelines for the Use of the ILO International Classification of Radiographs of Pneumoconioses, revised edition 2011
- the submission and storage of digital radiographs
In addition, the final rule includes several changes to obsolete or unnecessary rules in accordance with Executive Order 13563.
The new regulations will be effective May 19, 2014.
Important Reference Materials - Information
RIN 1240-AA07: Access the Spring 2013 Unified Agenda item previously published by the Department of Labor.
78 FR 59101: Access the Notice of Final Rule on the Federal Register's website.
PDF version of the Final Rule from the DCMWC website.