OSHA proposes to halve and harmonize silica exposure thresholds

Sources: Occupational Safety and Health Administration; CP staff

In Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) for Occupational Exposure to Respirable Crystalline Silica, OSHA outlines reduction of permissible exposure limits (PEL) for quartz from current general industry and construction thresholds—100 and 250 micrograms per cubic meter of air (μg/m3) expressed in eight-hour weighted averages, respectively—to a uniform 50 μg/m3.

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New silica exposure rule compliance burden: $1,300–$1,750 per concrete plant

Sources: OSHA, CP staff

The Notice of Proposed Rulemaking for Occupational Exposure to Respirable Crystalline Silica (NPRM) profiles 11 ready mixed and manufactured concrete production job titles, estimating at least half of workers with three of them encounter silica exposure above the agency’s new 50 microgram per cubic meter of air over eight-hour sampling period (50 μg/m3).

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New Labor Board validates order favoring Aggregate Industries NE

Sources: National Labor Relations Board; CP staff

The newly constituted NLRB has adopted an administrative law judge’s decision dismissing a Teamsters Local 42 complaint that alleged Aggregate Industries Northeast Region failed to negotiate in good faith during collective bargaining sessions for a May 2008–April 2011 contract successor. It marked one of the first pending-case actions for the agency, which as of mid-August has four new Members and a Chairman beginning a five-year term—all following Senate confirmation last month.

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