For Immediate Release: April 16, 2024
Contact: Cheyenne Schoen, (412) 562-2446, cschoen@usw.org
(PITTSBURGH) – United Steelworkers (USW) International President David McCall released the following statement today in response to the Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) publication of a final rule updating standards to reduce worker exposure to silica dust:
“The USW welcomes the new rule on silica dust exposure. After the previous administration failed to act on this recognized hazard, our union is grateful that President Joe Biden and his administration once again are prioritizing workers’ health and safety.
“This rule will improve the working conditions and the quality of life for all workers covered under MSHA in the United States. By setting a low permissible exposure limit for silica dust, the new rule will help current miners and future generations of mine workers stay healthy on the job.
“The new ancillary requirements will help miners and other workers under MSHA’s jurisdiction, like those at cement plants, to identify high-hazard areas and the controls needed to reduce miners’ exposure to harmful silica dust. These provisions will allow workers to identify health issues earlier and lead to healthier and safer lives for all American mine workers.
“With this new rule, MSHA has taken a major step forward in making life better for American mine workers, on and off the job.”
The USW represents 850,000 workers employed in metals, mining, pulp and paper, rubber, chemicals, glass, auto supply and the energy-producing industries, along with a growing number of workers in health care, public sector, higher education, tech and service occupations.
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