Brown Announces Free Black Lung Screenings Available Across Southeast Ohio

Brown Encourages Ohio Miners to Take Advantage of Free Screenings During the Month of August

WASHINGTON, D.C. –Today, U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-OH) announced that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) will host black lung screenings for miners across Southeast Ohio. NIOSH’s Mobile Occupational Safety and Health Unit will be at various locations, where miners can stop by and get a free health exam that includes a chest radiograph, a breathing test, and blood pressure screening.

“After years of backbreaking and dangerous work, Ohio miners often face long-term health risks,” said Brown. “These screenings will help miners get the information they need to prevent and manage black lung.”

Ohio miners can get screenings at the following locations:

• Harrison County

   Hopedale, OH – Thursday, August 9 from 8:00 AM to 7:00 PM

Hopedale Volunteer Fire Department

103 Firehouse Lane

Hopedale, OH 43976

Tuscarawas County

   New Philadelphia, OH – Friday, August 10 from 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM

Rural King (department store)

1203 Front Street SW

New Philadelphia, OH 44663

Guernsey County

   Cambridge, OH – Monday, August 13 from 8:00 AM to 7:00 PM

Cambridge City Park

Corner of Edgeworth Avenue and N 8th Street

Cambridge, OH 43725

Muskingum County

   Zanesville, OH – Tuesday, August 14 from 8:00 AM to 8:00 PM

Zanesville North End Walmart
2850 Maple Avenue

Zanesville, OH 43701

Monroe County

   Woodsfield, OH – Wednesday, August 15 from 8:00 AM to 7:00 PM

Woodsfield City Municipal Building
221 S. Main Street

Woodsfield, OH 43793

Perry County

   Corning, OH – Thursday, August 16 from 5:00 AM to 6:00 PM

Buckingham Mine #6, Buckingham Coal Co.
14755 Township Highway 295

Corning, OH 43730

Athens County

   Athens, OH – Friday, August 17 from 8:00 AM to 7:00 PM

Athens Walmart

929 E State Street

Athens, OH 45701

 

Brown has been fighting to protect Ohio miners’ safety and healthcare.

He has introduced legislation to ensure miners affected by Black Lung receive the benefits they deserve.

In December, Brown led his colleagues in urging Secretary of Labor Alexander Acosta to protect mine safety and miners’ health by protecting a recent rule aimed at limiting miners’ exposure to respirable coal mine dust. This came after the rule was listed among a number of rules to be re-examined for elimination.

Brown has also conducted roundtables and met with retired Ohio miners, as he has been fighting to protect their hard-earned healthcare coverage and retirement security. In January, Brown reintroduced his bipartisan bill, the Miners Protection Act, with U.S. Sens. Rob Portman (R-OH), Joe Manchin (D-WV) and Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV). Their bill would address the shortfall in the United Mineworkers of America (UMWA) 1974 pension plan and make health care coverage permanent for retirees. Brown was able to secure his provision in the government spending bill in May 2017.

 

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