National Stone, Sand & Gravel Association
Directory and Buyers Guide
E-Digest Newsletter
Legislative Action Center
Meetings
Publications Store
Stone, Sand and Gravel Review
Join NSSGA Environment Print Version

AFTRE
Awards Program
Board and Committees
Careers and Scholarships
Communications
Environment
Government Affairs
Members Only
Pulverized Minerals Division
Safety and Health
State Executives
Sustainability
Young Leaders
NSSGA Home Page

Metal/Non Metal Diesel Partnership

The Metal/Nonmetal Diesel Partnership is an industry effort to safeguard the health and safety of mine workers with regard to the use of diesel powered equipment and the emissions (both gaseous and particulate) from such equipment. The partnership, in which NSSGA is a founding member, is composed of the United Steel Workers of America. The National Mining Association, the Industrial Minerals Association-North America with strong involvement by the Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA). 

The specific goal of the partnership is to identify technically and economically feasible controls, using existing and available technology, that can be retrofitted onto existing diesel powered equipment in underground metal/nonmetal mines, to reduce diesel particulate matter emissions to, or below, MSHA's interim standards of 400 micrograms of total carbon (308 micrograms of elemental carbon) and the final standard of 160 micrograms total carbon (120 micrograms elemental carbon).

Consistent with this goal, members of the partnership agree to:

  1. Utilize the best available scientific methods and procedures in the accomplishment of the work of the partnership.
  2. Within reason, make available the resources: people, equipment, instrumentation, and facilities (including mine sites) to accomplish the work of the partnership.
  3. Work closely, openly and in a spirit of cooperation with staff from MSHA, in accomplishing the work of the partnership.
  4. To the extent possible, involve diesel engine manufacturers and filter manufacturers in the work of the partnership.
  5. Increase the number of partners (beyond the original membership) if such an increase is necessary to improve the probability that the partnership will be successful in realizing its goal.
  6. Share all information derived from the work of the partnership with all members of the partnership.

The partnership will conduct its business consistent with the following:

  1. Each organization that is a member of the partnership will designate one individual (and one alternate) who will be empowered to represent that organization in the conduct of partnership business. No limitation is placed on the number of individuals from the Partnership organizations, who can attend and participate in any meeting.
  2. Business will be conducted by the partnership at meetings that will be scheduled with as much lead time as possible.
  3. Decisions can only be taken at a partnership meeting if a majority of partnership organizations are present (either member or alternate).
  4. Partnership decisions will be made by consensus. If a consensus can not be reached on a particular issue, the partnership will not proceed, with work related to that issue.
  5. Any member organization can unilaterally withdraw from the partnership at any time.
  6. The partnership can be dissolved by a decision taken by a simple majority of member organizations. In that case, the remaining members, those that did not vote to dissolve, can modify the original partnership and continue, as long as there is at least one representation from labor, industry and government involved in the modified partnership.

Key accomplishments of the Partnership consist of:

  1. M/NM Diesel Control Workshops held in February and March of 2003 in Cincinnati and Salt Lake City, respectively.
  2. Phase I (Isozone) and 2 (Working level) Stillwater studies in 2003.
  3. Upcoming Stillwater Isozone testing.  August-Sept, 2004.



| What is NSSGA? | Contact Us | Links | Meet the Staff |

© 2012 National Stone, Sand & Gravel Association
1605 King Street
Alexandria, VA 22314
703.525.8788
Anti-Trust Statement & Web Site Disclaimer