The Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) has proposed a new rule to protect miners from the health hazards of respirable crystalline silica. The rule would lower the permissible exposure limit and require exposure sampling, medical surveillance, and updated respiratory protection standards. The proposed rule aims to reduce miners’ risk of developing lung diseases associated with silica dust exposure. MSHA estimates that 2.3 million workers are exposed to silica dust annually. The proposal has been long-awaited and will undergo a comment period and public hearings.
