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The Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) has issued a final rule to better protect the nation\u2019s miners from health hazards associated with exposure to respirable crystalline silica. It lowers the permissible exposure limit to 50 micrograms per cubic meter of air for a full-shift exposure, calculated as an eight-hour, time-weighted average.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\nIf a miner\u2019s exposure exceeds the limit, the final rule requires mine operators to take immediate corrective actions to come into compliance. “It is unconscionable that our nation\u2019s miners have worked without adequate protection from silica dust despite it being a known health hazard for decades,\u201d said Acting Secretary Julie Su.\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
\u201cToday, the Department of Labor has taken an important action to finally reduce miners\u2019 exposure to toxic silica dust and protect them from suffering from preventable diseases. Mining communities across the country should know that the Biden-Harris administration is determined to do what must be done to ensure that miners come home safe and healthy at the end of every day.\u201d
In addition to reducing exposure limits, the final rule: <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n
- Requires mine operators to use engineering controls to prevent miners\u2019 overexposures to silica dust and use dust samplings and environmental evaluations to monitor exposures. <\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Compels metal and nonmetal mine operators to establish medical surveillance programs to provide periodic health examinations at no cost to miners. <\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Replaces an outdated standard for respiratory protection with a new standard reflecting the latest advances in respiratory protection and practices. <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
Read the final silica rule here<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n