Silica

The ruling from the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia upholds the lower permissible exposure limit in OSHA’s updated silica rule. Supporters of the rule call the court’s decision a “huge victory” for workers, while opponents say it disregards “legitimate concerns.”

Washington – A consolidated lawsuit against OSHA’s respirable crystalline silica final rule is “close to a resolution,” Secretary of Labor R. Alexander Acosta said Nov. 15 during his first appearance before the House Education and the Workforce Committee.

Washington – OSHA has released interim enforcement guidance for its Respirable Crystalline Silica in Construction Standard (1926.1153), which is set to be enforced in full on Oct. 23.

Washington – Employers who are found to be acting in “good faith” will have an additional 30 days to comply with OSHA’s Respirable Crystalline Silica in Construction Standard, according to a Sept. 20 memorandum from the agency.

Washington – A majority of workers who died from silica-related lung disease were employed in occupations in which exposure to silica dust is prevalent, according to a report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. However, the agency states that more information is needed.

Washington – OSHA has published a guide intended to help small businesses comply with the agency’s standard on worker exposure to respirable crystalline silica for general industry and maritime.

Washington – OSHA is delaying enforcement of its updated standard on worker exposure to crystalline silica in the construction industry.

At a recent Capitol Hill briefing, American Industrial Hygiene Association officials and former OSHA administrator David Michaels made their case to members of Congress about the benefits of OSHA's recent final rule on protecting workers from exposure to respirable crystalline silica.

Washington – OSHA has released a compliance guide meant to help small businesses in the construction industry adhere to a final rule regarding exposure to crystalline silica in the workplace.

Anaheim, CA – The status of OSHA’s Severe Violator Enforcement Program was in the spotlight during the “OSHA Current Activities” Technical Session on Monday at the 2016 NSC Congress & Expo.