MSHA Makes Available on Its Website a Proposed Rule to Lower Miners’ Exposure to Respirable Crystalline Silica and Improve Respiratory Protection

• Posted on Jul 24, 2023

On June 30, 2023, the Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) made available informally a proposed rule to amend its existing standards to better protect all miners against occupational exposure to respirable crystalline silica. Silica is a carcinogen known to cause severe illnesses, including silicosis, non-malignant respiratory disease, lung cancer, and kidney disease.

The proposed rule would significantly improve health protections and promote safe and healthful workplaces for our nation’s miners.
MSHA invites the public to review the informal document which is available at MSHA.gov. The notice of proposed rulemaking will soon be published in the Federal Register. MSHA encourages the public to submit any comments online at Regulations.gov once the notice of proposed rulemaking is published in the Federal Register and the public comment period starts.

As part of its effort to gather public input, the agency will hold public hearings in Arlington, Virginia, and in Denver, Colorado during the comment period. The hearings will be open for in-person or online participation. More details will be available at the MSHA website after the notice of proposed rulemaking is published in the Federal Register.

Miners and mine operators can find safety and health information on MSHA.gov.