OSHA Final Rule on Protections for Workers Exposed to Silica Dust

Overview

The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration issued its final rule to improve protections for workers exposed to respirable silica dust. The rule aims to curb lung cancer, silicosis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and kidney disease in America’s workers by limiting their exposure to respirable crystalline silica. OSHA estimates that when the final rule on Occupational Exposure to Respirable Crystalline Silica becomes fully effective, it will save more than 600 lives annually and prevent more than 900 new cases of silicosis – an incurable and progressive disease – each year. The agency also estimates the final rule will provide net benefits of about $7.7 billion per year.

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