37.52—Method of obtaining definitive interpretations.
(a)
All chest roentgenograms which are first interpreted by an “A” or “B” reader will be submitted by ALOSH to a “B” reader qualified as described in § 37.51. If there is agreement between the two interpreters as defined in paragraph (b) of this section the result shall be considered final and reported to MSHA for transmittal to the miner. When in the opinion of ALOSH substantial agreement is lacking, ALOSH shall obtain additional interpretations from the Panel of “B” readers. If interpretations are obtained from two or more “B” readers, and if two or more are in agreement then the highest major category shall be reported.
(b)
Two interpreters shall be considered to be in agreement when they both find either stage A, B, or C complicated pneumoconiosis, or their findings with regard to simple pneumoconiosis are both in the same major category, or (with one exception noted below) are within one minor category (ILO Classification 12-point scale) of each other. In the last situation, the higher of the two interpretations shall be reported. The only exception to the one minor category principle is a reading sequence of 0/1, 1/0, or 1/0, 0/1. When such a sequence occurs, it shall not be considered agreement, and a third (or more) interpretation shall be obtained until a consensus involving two or more readings in the same major category is obtained.
[43 FR 33715, Aug. 1, 1978, as amended at 49 FR 7564, Mar. 1, 1984; 52 FR 7866, Mar. 13, 1987]