by Shane Henson — September 16, 2013—Officials within the U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) recently announced a proposed rule aimed at curbing silicosis, which is an incurable and progressive disease, as well as lung cancer, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and kidney disease in American workers.
According to David Michaels, assistant secretary of labor, OSHA’s objective is to develop a standard that not only protects workers, but also makes sense in the workplace. In this process, OSHA especially hopes to hear from workers and employers who have experience protecting workers from crystalline silica-related diseases.
As OSHA officials note, exposure to silica dust can be extremely hazardous, and limiting that exposure is essential. Every year, affected workers not only lose their ability to work, but also to breathe. OSHA estimates that the proposed rule will save nearly 700 lives per year and prevent 1,600 new cases of silicosis annually, once the full effects of the rule are realized.
Exposure to airborne silica dust occurs in operations involving cutting, sawing, drilling, and crushing of concrete, brick, block and other stone products and in operations using sand products, such as in glass manufacturing, foundries and sand blasting.
“We know how to lower silica exposure. Today, many employers across the country apply common sense, inexpensive, and effective control measures that protect workers’ lives and lungs—like keeping the material wet so dust doesn’t become airborne, or using a vacuum to collect dust at the point where it is created before workers can inhale it,” said Michaels. “Tools that include these controls are readily available, and the rule is designed to give employers flexibility in selecting ways to meet the new standard.
The proposal was published in the Federal Register September 11, after which the public has 90 days to comment, says OSHA.
