---
kind: "section"
citation: "30 U.S.C. § 844"
title: "30"
title_heading: "Mineral Lands and Mining"
number: "844"
heading: "Rock dust and gas hazards; controls"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/30/844"
units:
  - "Chapter 22 — Mine Safety and Health"
  - "Subchapter II — Interim Mandatory Health Standards"
---

# §844. Rock dust and gas hazards; controls


The dust resulting from drilling in rock shall be controlled by the use of permissible dust collectors, or by water or water with a wetting [agent](/usc/30/802.md?p=e), or by ventilation, or by any other method or device approved by the [Secretary](/usc/30/802.md?p=a) which is at least as effective in controlling such dust. Respiratory equipment approved by the [Secretary](/usc/30/802.md?p=a) and the [Secretary](/usc/30/802.md?p=a) of Health and Human Services shall be provided [persons](/usc/30/802.md?p=f) exposed for short periods to inhalation hazards from gas, dusts, fumes, or mist. When the exposure is for prolonged periods, other measures to protect such [persons](/usc/30/802.md?p=f) or to reduce the hazard shall be taken.


## Source credit

(Pub. L. 91–173, title II, § 204, Dec. 30, 1969, 83 Stat. 764; Pub. L. 96–88, title V, § 509(b), Oct. 17, 1979, 93 Stat. 695.)

## Notes

### Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

### Change of Name

“Secretary of Health and Human Services” substituted in text for “Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare” pursuant to section 509(b) of Pub. L. 96–88 which is classified to section 3508(b) of Title 20, Education.

### Effective Date

Section operative six months after Dec. 30, 1969, except to the extent an earlier date is specifically provided for in Pub. L. 91–173, see section 509 of Pub. L. 91–173, set out as a note under section 801 of this title.