Weeks James L
Advanced Technologies and Laboratories International, Inc, Germantown, MD 20874, USA.
Am J Public Health. 2003 Aug;93(8):1236-44. doi: 10.2105/ajph.93.8.1236.
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.
1969年《煤矿健康与安全法》通过后，地下煤矿经营者被要求采集空气样本，以监测是否符合可吸入粉尘接触限值，这是预防煤矿工人尘肺病的一项重要任务。矿工们提出反对，称让煤矿经营者执行这项任务就像是“让狐狸看守鸡舍”。本文是一篇关于采矿业腐败以及改革煤矿粉尘接触监测计划的努力的历史叙述。文中阐述了职业健康实践中几个常见的重要主题；最突出的一点是，不应指望雇主会自我监管。
