Silica

Adopted on Dec. 14, the ETS is set to go into effect Dec. 29.

Washington — The Department of Labor Office of Inspector General is calling on the Mine Safety and Health Administration to publish a final rule – currently in the works – that lowers the silica exposure limit for miners.

In Episode 44, the S+H team examines the October issue’s feature story on respirable crystalline silica. Also, Suzi Craig, vice president of workplace mental health at Mental Health America, joins the podcast to discuss normalizing conversations and attitudes around mental health in the “Five Questions With …” segment. 

Arlington, VA — The Mine Safety and Health Administration is reminding mine operators to safeguard against worker exposure to hazardous silica dust where mobile equipment is used.

Santa Ana, CA — California’s Division of Occupational Safety and Health is “extremely motivated” to move forward on an emergency temporary standard on silica hazards for workers who handle engineered stone.

A government shutdown would limit OSHA inspections to “life and property,” and a new initiative on respirable crystalline silica wouldn’t “get off the ground,” agency administrator Doug Parker said Sept. 27.

Washington — A new OSHA initiative is aimed at protecting workers in the engineered stone fabrication and installation industries from silica exposure.

The health hazards of respirable crystalline silica have been in the spotlight in mining, manufacturing and other industries. So, what is it – and what can be done to reduce worker exposure?

Washington — A Mine Safety and Health Administration proposed rule intended to reduce worker exposure to respirable crystalline silica “does not demand enough from operators,” Reps. Bobby Scott (D-VA) and Alma Adams (D-NC) claim.

San Francisco — A recent study of stone fabricators in California who have been diagnosed with silicosis shows that virtually all of them were immigrant, Latino men.