In response to a notice by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) that it intends to reduce the current silica dust exposure rate by 50 percent, the Marble Institute of America (MIA) is urging OSHA to maintain current levels. According to a release from the MIA, the current silica levels “are appropriate if adhered to.”
“Data from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC) show a greater than 90 percent reduction in the silicosis mortality rate from 1968 to 2010,” stated the MIA release. “It is doubtful that a further reduction of the allowable exposure limits will impact those numbers.”
The MIA statement goes on to say that OSHA should focus more on compliance with current standards through urging wet cutting and stone industry education.
“The natural stone industry advocates the use of proper equipment, training, vigilance and continual monitoring to minimize the risk of silicosis,” states the release. “The MIA has produced videos, handouts, and training guidelines on awareness and prevention and is providing many of those resources free-of-charge to stone companies online at www.marble-institute.com/silica.”
“We consider ourselves partners with OSHA in this effort, and believe strongly that safety is paramount,” said James Hieb, MIA Executive Vice President. “Independent studies have estimated costs for construction industry compliance will well exceed $1 billion per year. Don’t hamper economic growth for companies who are in compliance at the current levels.”
