ASA Submits Comments to MSHA’s Proposed Silica Rule

ASA, along with the Construction Industry Safety Coalition (CSIC), submitted comments to the recent Mine Safety Health Administration (MSHA) proposed rulemaking on its respirable crystalline silica standard.

Workplace safety and health is paramount for our members, and each is committed to creating safer construction jobsites for workers. While we support MSHA’s efforts to protect mine workers from overexposure to crystalline silica, we request that MSHA exempt construction activities conducted on MSHA sites. Construction activities are currently covered under the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)’s final rule addressing exposure to crystalline silica (“silica standard”).  Having to comply with two different sets of rules is confusing, duplicative, and unnecessary, especially when compliance with the OSHA silica standard has proven reasonably effective for construction operations.