Silica Update

JOURNAL: ISSUE 4 - 2014

On August 18, 2014, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) closed the public record on the silica standard proposed in mid-2013.  Now that the record has closed, OSHA is reviewing public comments and submissions from more than 1,700 individuals and organizations, including BAC, and testimony from more than 200 stakeholders, including from BAC President James Boland, Executive Vice President Gerard Scarano, and BAC members Tom Ward and Dale McNabb, both of Local 2 Michigan, Tommy Todd of Local 5 Oklahoma/Arkansas/Texas, Sean Barrett of Local 3 Massachusetts/Maine/New Hampshire/Rhode Island, and Dennis Cahill of Local 3 Arizona/New Mexico (reported in the last issue of the Journal).

Shortly before Thanksgiving, the Obama Administration included the proposed standard in its unified regulatory agenda and anticipates OSHA will complete its review and analysis of the public record in June 2015. A final standard will follow after that process is complete.

Says BAC President Boland, “While we await a final standard, the International Union continues to work with community and industry partners, scientists and lawmakers to guard against unnecessary delays in the rulemaking process and to promote the use of increased protections and the development of new technologies. This is a huge safety concern among our members and we will keep you informed of all pertinent developments.”