{"id":5174,"date":"2023-06-30T19:09:20","date_gmt":"2023-06-30T19:09:20","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/northamericanmining.com\/?p=5174"},"modified":"2023-07-03T14:15:05","modified_gmt":"2023-07-03T14:15:05","slug":"mshas-silica-proposal-released","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/northamericanmining.com\/index.php\/2023\/06\/30\/mshas-silica-proposal-released\/","title":{"rendered":"MSHA\u2019s silica proposal released"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Photo by NIOSH.<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n

The U.S. Department of Labor announced a proposal<\/strong><\/a> by its Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) to amend current federal standards to \u201cbetter protect the nation\u2019s miners from health hazards related to exposure to respirable crystalline silica, or silica dust.\u201d The proposed rule change will ensure miners have at least the same level of protections as workers in other industries.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cUnhealthy levels of silica, a carcinogen, and exposures over time cause severe illnesses, including silicosis; progressive massive fibrosis; non-malignant respiratory disease, such as emphysema; kidney disease; and lung cancer,\u201d DOL stated. \u201cExposure to mixed coal mine dust that contains respirable crystalline silica can lead to the development of coal workers\u2019 pneumoconiosis, commonly known as black lung disease; multi-dust pneumoconiosis; and progressive massive fibrosis.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The proposed rule would require mine operators to maintain miners\u2019 Permissible Exposure Limit to respirable crystalline silica at or below 50 micrograms per cubic meter of air for a full shift exposure, calculated as an eight-hour time weighted average. If a miner\u2019s exposure exceeds the limit, the proposed rule would require operators to take immediate corrective actions to come into compliance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe purpose of this proposed rule is simple: prevent more miners from suffering from debilitating and deadly occupational illnesses by reducing their exposure to silica dust. Silica overexposures have a real-life impact on a miner\u2019s health,\u201d explained Assistant Secretary for Mine Safety and Health Chris Williamson. \u201cMiners like a crusher operator at a California sand and gravel mine or a roof bolter in a West Virginia coal mine should never be forced to choose between preserving their health and providing for themselves and their families. This proposed rule furthers the Mine Act\u2019s clear instruction to prioritize miners\u2019 health.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In addition to reducing the existing exposure limit, the proposal also includes other requirements to protect miners\u2019 health \u2013 such as exposure sampling \u2013 and medical surveillance at no cost for metal and nonmetal miners. It would also replace existing outdated requirements for respiratory protection with a standard that reflects the latest advances in respiratory protection technologies and practices.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Following the proposed rule\u2019s publication in the Federal Register, MSHA will welcome public comments and announce dates for upcoming public hearings in Arlington, Va., and Denver. The hearings will be open for in-person or online participation. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\u201cA strong new silica dust standard will be an important protection for coal miners across the country,\u201d said Wes Addington, executive director of the Appalachian Citizens\u2019 Law Center. \u201cThe evidence is clear that silica dust is responsible for the ongoing black lung epidemic in Central Appalachia, and that\u2019s why we\u2019ve been fighting for an evidence-based silica standard that curbs exposure to this deadly toxin for more than a decade.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

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Developing \u2026 This story will be updated as more information becomes available.<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

The U.S. Department of Labor announced a proposal by its Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) to amend current federal standards to \u201cbetter protect the nation\u2019s miners from health hazards related to exposure to respirable crystalline silica, or silica dust.\u201d The proposed rule change will ensure miners have at least the same level of protections as workers in other industries. \u201cUnhealthy levels…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"om_disable_all_campaigns":false,"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"_themeisle_gutenberg_block_has_review":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_feature_clip_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":false,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2},"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false},"categories":[495],"tags":[2159,837,638,158],"coauthors":[1644],"class_list":["post-5174","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-latest-news","tag-crystalline-silica","tag-department-of-labor","tag-mine-operators","tag-msha"],"aioseo_notices":[],"aioseo_head":"\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t