The Mine Safety and Health Administration (“MSHA”) released its long-anticipated silica rule on Tuesday, April 16, 2024. (See the rule here) The rule is aimed at reducing miners’ exposure to respirable crystalline silica, otherwise known as silica or quartz dust. The final version of the rule is mostly consistent with the version MSHA
Crystalline Silica
OSHA Standard Changes That Will Impact Construction
By Courtney M. Malveaux on
The U.S. Department of Labor’s (DOL) regulatory agenda for spring 2021 lists regulations the agency will focus on for the next six months, including 26 Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) regulations, six of which are in the final rule stage and the rest are in the proposed or pre-rule stage. Many of them will…
OSHA and NIOSH issue Hazard Alert on Worker Exposure to Crystalline Silica
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Posted in OSHA Enforcement, OSHA Guidance
OSHA first announced its proposed rule on Occupational Exposure to Crystalline Silica in August 2013 and concluded public hearings on the proposed rule in April 2014. In spite of this ongoing intense rulemaking on occupational exposure to crystalline silica, OSHA and NIOSH published a Hazard Alert on Worker Exposure to Crystalline Silica during Countertop Manufacturing, Finishing and Installation last week. This marks the first Hazard Alert on silica exposure since OSHA issued the alert for Worker Exposure to Silica during Hydraulic Fracturing in June 2012.
Continue Reading OSHA and NIOSH issue Hazard Alert on Worker Exposure to Crystalline Silica
Workplace Law Implications of the 2012 Presidential Election
By Bradford T. Hammock on
Posted in Articles
Now that we know President Barack Obama will remain in office for the next four years, he and and the federal agencies responsible for enforcing the nation’s workplace laws likely will continue to pursue a number of pro-employee initiatives. A sampling is provided here.
Impact of the Presidential Election on OSHA
By Bradford T. Hammock on
Posted in OSHA Rulemaking
With the presidential election just a few days away, there is a lot of uncertainty on the future direction of OSHA. If President Obama wins a second term, employers should expect to see a more active OSHA from the regulatory perspective, as many rules that could impact the employers are poised to be published in…