OSHA Extends Comment Period on Proposed Silica Rule

November 8, 2013- The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) announced Oct. 25 that it is extending the public comment period for another 47 days on the Notice of Proposed Rulemaking on Occupational Exposure to Crystalline Silica.

Responding to requests for an extension, the deadline was extended from Dec. 11, 2013, to Jan. 27, 2014, to allow stakeholders extra time to comment on the proposed rule.

OSHA is also extending the deadline to submit notices of intention to appear at its informal public hearings by another 30 days, from Nov. 12, 2013, to Dec. 12, 2013. Public hearings are scheduled to begin March 18, 2014, and are expected to run for several weeks.

“We strongly encourage the public to assist in the process of developing a final rule by submitting written comments and participating in public hearings,” said Dr. David Michaels, Assistant Secretary of Labor for Occupational Safety and Health. “We especially hope to hear from employers, workers and public health professionals who have experience in successfully protecting workers from silica-related diseases.”

Information on the proposed rule, including five fact sheets and procedures for submitting written comments and participating in public hearings, is available here.

Members of the public may comment on the proposal by visiting here.

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