As you are aware, the North Carolina General Assembly continues to debate the 2002-2003 state budget. Both the Governor’s proposed budget and the Senate budget deleted the Dusty Trades Division of the Department of Health and Human Services that has historically administered N.C.G.S. §97-60 identifying industries who expose their employees to the hazards of asbestosis and silicosis and subsequently monitoring them. At the present time, it does not appear that final budget negotiations will result in the restoration of funding for the Dusty Trades section. 

From all indications it is likely that the budget bill will include a provision modifying N.C.G.S. §97-73(b) to essentially transfer the functions of the Dusty Trades section to the Industrial Commission; however, the budget does not include any additional funding for the Industrial Commission that will be necessary to administer the Dusty Trades program. Consequently, the Industrial Commission requests that all dusty trades employers temporarily continue voluntary monitoring of their employees pursuant to N.C.G.S. §97-60 until such time as the legislature provides clarification on all issues concerning the existence of the Dusty Trades program and necessary funding.

Please check our website, www.comp.state.nc.us, for updates regarding this matter.