Today, a group of House representatives sent a letter to President Trump sharing their concerns with the Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s (OSHA) final rule on silica. The letter – which was signed by 90 members of the House – highlighted the president’s campaign theme of slashing regulations and how the silica rule fits that mantra.
The letter adds that the rule’s lower permissible exposure level is  not technological or economic feasible, OSHA used flawed data in the rule’s creation and OSHA woefully underestimated the cost of complying with the rule.
The future and the enforcement of the rule remains uncertain with the new administration just beginning to fill key positions within the Department of Labor. AGC has called on the administration to immediately extend the dates for compliance in order to allow time for Congress or the administration to roll back the rule. While a legal challenge is also pending, it’s too early to know the fate of any regulatory, legislative, or legal outcomes and contractors must continue to prepare to comply with the rule.
For more information, contact Jim Young at [email protected] or (202) 547-0133.