MSHA to host series of meetings on silica final rule
Arlington, VA — The Mine Safety and Health Administration has scheduled several meetings to “provide information and answer questions” ahead of the fast-approaching compliance date for its final rule on miner exposure to respirable crystalline silica.
The long-anticipated rule, which went into effect in June, lowers the permissible exposure limit for respirable crystalline silica to 50 micrograms per cubic meter of air – half the current limit – over an 8-hour time-weighted average. The rule also increases silica sampling and enforcement at metal and nonmetal mines and requires mine operators to provide periodic health exams at no cost to miners.
The meetings are intended for coal mine operators, who must be compliant with the rule by April 14. The compliance date for metal and nonmetal operators is April 8, 2026.
Most of the meetings will take place either in-person or via Webex – two will be hybrid. The schedule for the remaining meetings:
- 8 a.m. on April 1 (Webex): Vacaville (CA) District
- 9 a.m. on April 1 (Webex): Denver and Lakewood (CO) District
- 10 a.m. on April 1 (Webex): Dallas District
- 8 a.m. on April 2 at the Birmingham District Office, 1030 London Drive, Suite 400, Birmingham, AL
- 9 a.m. on April 2 on the Somerset Community College Laurel campus, Health Sciences Building 3, 100 University Drive, London, KY
- 9 a.m. on April 2 at the Norton District Office, 716 Spring Ave., SE Suite 200, Wise, VA
- 9:30 a.m. on April 2 in the Morgantown District Office conference room, 604 Cheat Road, Morgantown, WV
- 9 a.m. on April 3 at the Pikeville Field Office, 100 Fae Ramsey Lane, Pikeville, KY
- 9:30 a.m. on April 3 in the St. Clairsville Field Office conference room, 50985 National Road East, St. Clairsville, OH
- 9 a.m. on April 4 (hybrid) at the Mt. Pleasant District Office Paladin Professional Center, 631 Excel Drive, Suite 100, Mt. Pleasant, PA
- 1 p.m. on April 7 (hybrid) at the Frackville Field Office, 954 Mall Road, Frackville, PA
For questions about to the meetings, email silicaquestions@dol.gov.
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