SKC Inc.’s Post

🚨Important Update from MSHA Regarding the new Silica Rule. Coal enforcement has been stayed for 4 months 🚨 The Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA), within the U.S. Department of Labor, has announced a temporary enforcement pause of its final rule titled “Lowering Miners’ Exposure to Respirable Crystalline Silica and Improving Respiratory Protection”. This pause is specifically for coal mine operators and applies to the requirements in 30 C.F.R. part 60. Key Points: * Temporary Enforcement Pause: MSHA will temporarily pause enforcement of the Silica Rule for coal mine operators until August 18, 2025. This is a four-month pause from the original compliance date of April 14, 2025. * Reasons for the Pause: The pause is due to unforeseen National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) restructuring which may impact the supply of approved respirators and personal dust monitors, as well as other technical reasons. * Purpose of the Pause: This temporary pause aims to provide coal mine operators with the necessary time to secure required equipment and achieve compliance. It also allows MSHA time to assist the mining industry with compliance, such as helping accredited laboratories with MSHA analytical methods. * Application: This enforcement pause only applies to coal mine operators. * Continued Enforcement: MSHA will continue its regular enforcement activities on existing standards for respirable coal mine dust. * Unaffected Mines: The compliance date of April 8, 2026, for metal and nonmetal mines is not affected by this temporary pause.