On April 6, 2017, the Department of Labor announced that enforcement of the recently-promulgated silica standard, reducing the permissible exposure limit for silica and requiring the implementation of other, silica-related obligations, has been pushed back from June 23, 2017 to September 23, 2017. A summary of the new standard is included here. OSHA’s press release delaying the enforcement of the standard is included here.

While the delay in enforcement of the new standard likely stems from the Trump administration’s promise to closely evaluate, and, when appropriate, delay or prevent the implementation of new administrative rules, employers would be well-served to prepare for the eventual enforcement of the new standard, and should take steps to ensure that they are in compliance with it prior to September 23, 2017.