WASHINGTON, D.C. (March 24, 2016) – The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) today announced a final rule to improve protections for workers exposed to silica dust. The following is a statement from Kim Glas, Executive Director of the BlueGreen Alliance:

“We applaud the administration’s announcement of the final version of the long overdue silica rule in the presence of so few new worker protections. After 40 years of regulatory delay, this rule could save nearly 700 lives and prevent 1,600 cases of silicosis a year. Silica dust has been a known carcinogen since the 1970’s; exposure to the mineral can cause a multitude of illnesses including silicosis, lung cancer, kidney disease, and respiratory diseases. The estimated 2.2 million workers who are exposed to this carcinogen everyday all deserve the protection these new standards will offer.

“No job can be considered a good job if it is not, first and foremost, a safe job. We applaud OSHA for finalizing this rule amid staunch industry resistance and look forward to continuing to work with the agency on policies that limit workplace hazards.”