Stoel Rives, Legal Update: MSHA Announces New Initiative to Enforce Silica Dust Standards
Briefed
Increased enforcement of existing silica dust standards is effective immediately as an interim measure, pending a new silica rule likely to be issued in 2023.
MSHA will likely focus on mines with a history of prior silica exceedances and other non-compliance but could also include silica-intensive operations at compliant sites.
Those operating in silica-intensive environments should update compliance programs and training now.