FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact:
Joseph Rendeiro
jrendeiro@nclr.org
(202) 776-1566
OSHA proposes new workplace standards limiting exposure to silica dust
Last week, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) announced new workplace standards to drastically cut exposure to crystalline silica dust, a leading cause of silicosis, an incurable and potentially fatal lung disease. For years, NCLR has advocated for policies to improve job quality in low-wage, high-risk industries where Latinos are overrepresented. NCLR supports the proposed updated silica standards as necessary to improving worker health and safety in key industries like construction, where Latinos represent nearly one in four workers.
“Particularly in the construction industry, Latinos and other workers are vulnerable to permanent illness and injury because of outdated laws and standards,” said Eric Rodriguez, Vice President of the Office of Research, Advocacy and Legislation at NCLR. “We believe these commonsense changes will go a long way toward improving workers’ health.”
Overexposure to silica dust is common among construction workers who cut, grind and jackhammer concrete, bricks and stones. The proposed changes would revise the allowable levels of silica exposure and require practices such as wetting and vacuuming to prevent silica from becoming airborne. OSHA expects these standards to cut silica exposure levels in half, saving an estimated 700 lives and preventing 1,600 new cases of silicosis per year. Current silica standards are 40 years old.
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