Safety First News
Silica Standard Enforcement Put On Hold
April 10, 2017
June 23rd of this year was the deadline for construction employers to fully implement the requirements of the Occupational Safety & Health Administration’s (OSHA) silica rule. Instead, OSHA announced last week the delay of enforcement of the silica rule until September 23rd.
In a news release, OSHA indicated it needs “additional guidance” for the rule, presumably from the new Secretary of Labor. The agency went on to say the delay in enforcement of the rule is “due to the unique nature of the requirements in the construction standard.”
EHS Today reports The Construction Industry Safety Coalition “is pleased that OSHA has recognized the need to develop guidance material for the construction industry before enforcing the silica rule, and we remain committed to working with the agency to create a feasible standard that promotes safe and healthy jobsites. While the CISC appreciates the 90-day delay in enforcement, the CISC remains concerned about the overall feasibility of the standard in construction and has requested that the agency delay enforcement for a year.”
Tony Stergio of Andrews Myers, P.C. published a quote from Kellie Vazquez, Vice President of Holes, Inc., who is the Concrete, Sawing & Drilling Association’s liaison within the Construction Industry Safety Coalition, who said, “We are very excited for this news. The 90-day extension is a great start, but we are pushing for a year delay and that discussion certainly isn’t over. There are many companies who weren’t aware just how much the former administration’s silica rule would impact them, and are now realizing the extent of the issues.”