| DOL/MSHA |
RIN: 1219-AB36 |
Publication ID: Fall 2008
|
| Title: Respirable
Crystalline Silica Standard |
| Abstract: Current
standards limit exposures to quartz (crystalline silica)
in respirable dust. The coal mining industry standard is
based on the formula 10mg/m3 divided by the percentage
of quartz where the quartz percent is greater than 5.0
percent calculated as an MRE equivalent concentration.
The metal and nonmetal mining industry standard is based
on the 1973 American Conference of Governmental
Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH) Threshold Limit Values
formula: 10 mg/m3 divided by the percentage of quartz
plus 2. Overexposure to crystalline silica can result in
some miners developing silicosis, an irreversible but
preventable lung disease, which ultimately may be fatal.
Both formulas are designed to limit exposures to 0.1
mg/m3 (100mg) of silica. The Secretary of Labor's
Advisory Committee on the Elimination of Pneumoconiosis
Among Coal Mine Workers made several recommendations
related to reducing exposure to silica. NIOSH and ACGIH
recommend a 50 mg/m3 exposure limit for respirable
crystalline silica. MSHA is considering several options
to reduce miners' exposure to crystalline silica.
|
| Agency: Department of
Labor(DOL) |
Priority: Other Significant
|
| RIN Status: Previously published
in the Unified Agenda |
Agenda Stage of Rulemaking:
Long-Term Actions |
| Major: No |
Unfunded Mandates: No
|
| CFR Citation: 30 CFR
56 to 57; 30 CFR 70 to 72; 30 CFR 90 (To search for
a specific CFR, visit the Code
of Federal Regulations.) |
| Legal Authority: 30
USC 811;
30 USC 813 |
Legal Deadline: None
|
Timetable:
| Action |
Date |
FR
Cite |
| Request for
Information |
To Be
Determined |
| |
| Regulatory Flexibility Analysis
Required: Undetermined |
Government Levels Affected:
None |
| Federalism: No |
| Included in the Regulatory Plan:
No |
| RIN Information URL: www.msha.gov/regsinfo.htm
|
Public Comment URL: www.regulations.gov
|
| RIN Data Printed in the FR:
No |
Agency
Contact:
Patricia W. Silvey
Director, Office
of Standards, Regulations, and Variances
Department
of Labor
Mine Safety and Health Administration
Room 631, 1100 Wilson Boulevard, Room 2350,
Arlington, VA 22209-3939
Phone:202 693-9440
Fax:202 693-9441
Email: silvey.patricia@dol.gov
|
|
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