Federal Court Upholds Silica Rule
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Late last year, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit ruled in favor of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s (OSHA) respirable crystalline silica rule; rejecting arguments from a number of organizations challenging the rule. This ruling, unfortunately, now likely means that the silica rule will not be delayed or withdrawn before its implementation date for general industry (under which the ready mixed concrete industry falls) on June 23, 2018. Specifically, the new silica standard, finalized in March 2016, aims to cut in half the permissible expose limit (PEL) of respirable crystalline silica, add a new action level, as well as require new employee area limits, recordkeeping, reporting, medical surveillance, housekeeping, exposure control plans and employee training. NRMCA is creating compliance materials for producers.
Click here for more information on the silica rule. You may also contact Kevin Walgenbach at kwalgenbach@nrmca.org.
