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OSHA Moving Forward on Crystalline Silica Rulemaking

After pending for years on the agency’s regulatory agenda, it appears that OSHA is ready to publish in April or May 2011 its Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) for a comprehensive standard for workers’ exposure to crystalline silica. This rulemaking will update existing permissible exposure limits and establish additional provisions to protect workers from exposures to respirable crystalline silica dust.

We anticipate that OSHA will propose a 50% reduction in the current PEL – from 100 µg/m3 to 50 µg/m3. The lowering of the PEL for silica will present major technological and economic challenges to the foundry industry, as well as those companies producing silica-based products or materials. OSHA enforcement data indicates that some workers continue to be exposed to levels of crystalline silica far in excess of the current exposure limits. A peer review was completed in January 2010, but has not been shared with the general public.

AFS is in the process of gathering important technical and economic feasibility information from foundries in preparation of our formal comments. Volunteer participation from foundries will be essential to our efforts.

For more information, contact Stephanie Salmon, Metalcasters Alliance for Government Affairs Washington Office, 202/842-4864 or ssalmon@afsinc.org.