Statement from AFL-CIO President Liz Shuler on the proposed rule to protect mineworkers from silica exposure:
For far too long, coal miners, metal and nonmetal miners, and other workers on mining sites have fallen ill and have died from debilitating silicosis as a result of being exposed to dangerous levels of respirable silica. These exposure levels have risen with the advent of rock-pulverizing machines that release even more silica dust into the air and make workers sick at a faster rate. To that end, today’s proposed rule is a critical step forward in the century-long battle to protect workers from breathing in silica dust.
Mining employers have the ability to control silica exposure on their jobsites, and finalizing this rule will hold them accountable when they do not implement effective measures to protect workers. Controlling workplace silica exposures creates healthier work environments, provides miners the same level of protection as workers in other industries and saves lives. No one should have to risk their life or quality of life for a paycheck. We thank acting Labor Secretary Julie Su for her leadership on this issue and urge the Biden administration to swiftly finalize this rule—mineworkers need these protections now.
Contact: Isabel Aldunate, 202-637-5018