MSHA Unified Agenda - [Long-Term Actions]

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