WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational
Safety and Health Administration today announced a proposed rule aimed at
curbing lung cancer, silicosis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and
kidney disease in America’s workers. The proposal seeks to lower worker
exposure to crystalline silica, which kills hundreds of workers and sickens
thousands more each year. After publication of the proposal, the public will
have 90 days to submit written comments, followed by public hearings.
“Exposure to silica can be deadly, and limiting that
exposure is essential,” said Dr. David Michaels, assistant secretary of labor
for occupational safety and health. “Every year, exposed workers not only lose
their ability to work, but also to breathe. This proposal is expected to
prevent thousands of deaths from silicosis—an incurable and progressive disease—as
well as lung cancer, other respiratory diseases and kidney disease. We’re
looking forward to public comment on the proposal.”
Once the full effects of the rule are realized, OSHA
estimates that the proposed rule would result in saving nearly 700 lives per
year and prevent 1,600 new cases of silicosis annually.
Exposure to airborne silica dust occurs in operations
involving cutting, sawing, drilling and crushing of concrete, brick, block and
other stone products and in operations using sand products, such as in glass
manufacturing, foundries and sand blasting.
The proposal is based on extensive review of scientific and
technical evidence, consideration of current industry consensus standards and outreach
by OSHA to stakeholders, including public stakeholder meetings, conferences and
meetings with employer and employee organizations.
“The proposed rule uses common sense measures that will
protect workers’ lives and lungs—like keeping the material wet so dust doesn’t
become airborne,” added Michaels. “It is designed to give employers flexibility
in selecting ways to meet the standard.”
The proposed rulemaking includes two separate standards—one
for general industry and maritime employment, and one for construction.
The agency currently enforces 40-year-old permissible
exposure limits (PELs) for crystalline silica in general industry, construction
and shipyards that are outdated, inconsistent between industries and do not
adequately protect worker health. The proposed rule brings protections into the
21st century.
The proposed rule includes a new exposure limit for
respirable crystalline silica and details widely used methods for controlling
worker exposure, conducting medical surveillance, training workers about
silica-related hazards and recordkeeping measures.
OSHA rulemaking relies heavily on input from the public and the
agency will conduct extensive engagement to garner feedback from the public
through both written and oral comments. OSHA will accept public comments on the
proposed rule for 90 days following publication in the Federal Register,
followed by public hearings. Once public hearings conclude, members of the
public who filed a notice of intention to appear can then submit additional
post-hearing comments. Additional information on the proposed rule, including a
video; procedures for submitting comments and the public hearings can be found
at www.osha.gov/silica.
Under the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970,
employers are responsible for providing safe and healthful workplaces for their
employees. OSHA's role is to assure these conditions for America's working men
and women by setting and enforcing standards, and providing training, education
and assistance. For more information, visit http://www.osha.gov.
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