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CHAPTERFOUR Environmental Consequences and Mitigation <br />Transmission Line Alternative C <br />Impacts from hazardous materials under this alternative would be the same as those described for <br />the proposed action. <br />4.1.11 Health and Safety <br />No Action Alternative <br />Under the No Action Alternative, there would be no changes to health and safety in the proposed <br />project area. Impacts would remain unchanged from existing conditions. <br />Proposed Action Alternative <br />Mine and Facilities <br />Coal mining is a dangerous profession. Underground mining has one of the highest fatal injury <br />rates of any U. S. industry, more than five times the national average compared to other industries <br />(NIOSH 2008). Fatalities, injuries, and disasters, although less frequent than in the past, <br />continue to occur, and health concerns posed by gases, dusts, chemicals, noise, extreme <br />temperatures, and other physical conditions continue to result in chronic and sometimes fatal <br />illnesses. In the last three decades, improvements in mining technology, equipment, processes, <br />procedures, and workforce education and training have resulted in greater safety and health. <br />MSHA and the Colorado Division of Reclamation, Mining and Safety (DBMS) regulate worker <br />safety and health at mines. The Federal Mine Safety and Health Act administered by MSHA and <br />the Coal Mine Health and Safety Rules and Regulations of the Coal Mine Board of Examiners <br />administered by DBMS will be fully implemented during construction and operation of the <br />project (CDRMS 2008). <br />Construction and operation of the proposed project presents hazards to human health and safety. <br />These hazards are in addition to the existing risks within the project area as described in the <br />health and safety section in Chapter 3. All construction activities will be conducted in <br />compliance with applicable MSHA and/or Occupational Safety and Health Administration <br />(OSHA) regulations, depending on applicable jurisdiction. <br />Lease Area <br />All activities which will involve health and safety within the lease area are described in the Mine <br />and Facilities section. <br />Railroad <br />Traffic safety impacts due to railroad construction and operation are addressed under the <br />Transportation section. Air emission health impacts are addressed under the air quality section. <br />Other than traffic and air emissions, railroad construction and operation impacts to health and <br />safety would remain unchanged from existing conditions. <br />Water Pipeline <br />Water pipeline construction and operation impacts to health and safety would remain unchanged <br />from existing conditions. <br />4-54 <br />DBMS 609 <br />