MSHA Extends Public Comment Window on Proposed Updates to Federal Standards
The changes would increase protection of miners from exposure to silica dust.
The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) just released an important update regarding proposed amendments to federal standards designed to keep the nation’s miners safer.
In a release dated August 10, the DOL announced that the Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) has extended the period during which members of the public can comment on the proposed changes. Following demand from the mining community, MSHA has added an additional 15 days to the deadline, which was initially set for August 28.
“Several interested parties requested that the Department of Labor provide additional time to prepare and submit comments,” MSHA Assistant Secretary Chris Williamson said in a statement. “Upon careful consideration, we have decided to extend the comment period for 15 days and to promptly provide notice of the extension to the mining community.”
Published on July 13, the proposed change to the Federal Register would require mine operators to maintain miners’ Permissible Exposure Limit to respirable crystalline silica—also known as “silica dust”—in line with that of workers in other industries. If the proposed rule goes through, it would require operators to take immediate action to meet compliance standards. The rule also involves the addition of exposure sampling and no-cost medical surveillance.
Members of the public can submit comments to MSHA online at the federal rulemaking portal by September 11.
