December 5, 2025 - National Miners Day is observed on December 6th to honor all miners around the country, including coal miners. Coal mining is a vital part of the United States’ energy mix and economy but can be a dangerous job due to exposure to dust and other hazards that threaten long-term health.

Protecting the health of coal miners is crucial, and for over 55 years, the NIOSH Coal Workers’ Health Surveillance Program (CWHSP) has worked to ensure coal miners’ health. CWHSP has helped safeguard the respiratory health of coal miners across the United States by offering chest x-rays and lung function tests. These tests can detect respiratory diseases, like black lung, which can be prevented when exposures are controlled. Black lung disease is progressive and incurable, but its worst effects can be avoided when the disease is identified early.