OSHA Concludes Public Hearings On Proposed Crystalline Silica Exposure Limits
OSHA concluded a three-week public hearing on proposed regulations seeking to limit workers’ exposure to crystalline silica. Crystalline silica exposure has been linked to health risks, including silicosis, lung cancer, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and kidney disease. An estimated 2.2. million workers are exposed to respirable crystalline silica, including those involved in construction, certain manufacturing operations, and operations that use sand products, such as hydraulic fracturing.
The proposed rule would reduce the permissible exposure limit for respirable crystalline silica, which was adopted in 1971 and has not been updated, to 50 micrograms per cubic meter of air, averaged over an 8-hour day. OSHA has estimated that the proposed rule would ultimately save nearly 700 lives and prevent 1,600 new cases of silicosis per year.
Before a final rule is issued, hearing participants have an opportunity to file additional evidence and data relevant to the proceeding and final written briefs, arguments, and summations. We will continue to track and report on developments as the rulemaking process moves forward.
