The Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH) recently reported its first confirmed case of silicosis associated with occupational exposure in the stone countertop industry and in response, issued a safety alert.1 The...more
The Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) announced in a November 26, 2025, status report to the U.S. Court of Appeals, Eighth Circuit (where the rule is currently being litigated), its plans to “engage in limited...more
When the Senate approved David Keeling to take over as the head of OSHA and Wayne Palmer to lead MSHA Tuesday, it ushered in a new day for employers across the country. You can expect to see workplace safety policies,...more
On December 29, 2023, the California Occupational Safety and Health Standards Board instituted an emergency regulation to address occupational exposure to respirable crystalline silica. This regulation addressed additional...more
A federal appeals court just gave mine operators a reprieve from its strict new silica rule after temporarily blocking it from going into effect. The Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) had announced on April 9 that...more
MSHA's new silica rule, finalized in 2024, represents a key legacy of the Biden Administration. Although compliance seemed distant when the rule was first issued, the deadlines for compliance are approaching: April 2025 for...more
The Texas Fourteenth Court of Appeals upheld summary judgment for Exxon Mobil corporation in Stanley Cole v. Exxon Mobil Corp. (No. 14-22-00756-CV), a premises liability case involving alleged exposure to olivine dust. The...more
President Donald Trump recently nominated Wayne Palmer to take the reins at MSHA as the Assistant Secretary for Mine Safety and Health. Palmer is currently serving as a part of the Trump transition team within the Department...more
There have been recent growing concerns regarding the inhalation of crystalline silica dust in the California stone countertop industry, with attempts by the California State Legislature to enact regulations improving the...more
On December 19, 2024, the Cal/OSHA Standards Board unanimously approved a proposal to make permanent amendments to its regulation regarding occupational exposures to respirable crystalline silica (RCS) in the general industry...more
With 2024 coming to a close, here is a roundup of Cal/OSHA updates from the recent Standard Board meetings and Cal/OSHA’s triannual advisory committee meeting:...more
In July, a proposed bill named the Silicosis Prevention Act was withdrawn from consideration in California. This proposed bill would have substantially affected the manufactured stone industry by banning dry fabrication...more
Introduction: Understanding the New Regulations on Respirable Crystalline Silica (RCS) Respirable crystalline silica (RCS) is classified by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) as a human carcinogen. ...more
Newly appointed Standards Board Chair Joseph Alioto, Jr. led a very full monthly Standards Board meeting that touched on a wide range of rulemaking and legislative updates. Mr. Alioto began the meeting by recognizing outgoing...more
MSHA announced it will hold a series of stakeholder meetings across the country to share information about the final silica rule issued on April 18, 2024. The first two meetings are scheduled for Arlington, VA on July 10,...more
Traditionally, toxic tort related claims are brought under product liability actions for negligence, breach of warranty, and strict liability. Asbestos has historically been the center of toxic tort litigation. The number of...more
The May 16th Standards Board Meeting and May 20th Cal/OSHA Advisory Committee meetings offered many rulemaking updates and even clarified some questions that have been posed to Cal/OSHA in recent months. Petition 605...more
On April 16, 2024, the Mine Safety & Health Administration (“MSHA”) released its final rule for Respirable Crystalline Silica (“RCS”) for preliminary viewing, and it was published in the Federal Register on April 18, 2024....more
The Beltway Buzz is a weekly update summarizing labor and employment news from inside the Beltway and clarifying how what’s happening in Washington, D.C., could impact your business. SCOTUS: “Significant” Harm Not...more
The Acting Secretary of Labor appeared with the Assistant Secretary for Mine Safety and Health, Chris Williamson and union leaders on April 16th at an event in Uniontown, PA to announce the release of MSHA’s final respirable...more
The Mine Safety and Health Administration (“MSHA”) released its long-anticipated silica rule on Tuesday, April 16, 2024. (See the rule here) The rule is aimed at reducing miners’ exposure to respirable crystalline silica,...more
The Beltway Buzz is a weekly update summarizing labor and employment news from inside the Beltway and clarifying how what’s happening in Washington, D.C., could impact your business. Congress on Spring Break...What’s on...more
We have an important update to share about the status of MSHA’s Respirable Crystalline Silica rulemaking, officially proposed as Lowering Miners’ Exposure to Respirable Crystalline Silica and Improving Respiratory Protection....more
On December 14, 2023, California’s Occupational Safety and Health Standards Board approved an emergency temporary standard (ETS) intended to enhance protection of workers from the hazards of respirable crystalline silica...more
Seyfarth Synopsis: Cal/OSHA’s Standards Board approved the Division’s revisions to the silica standard on an emergency basis, requiring a regulated area, PPE, and air monitoring for any workplace with a stone or tile cutting...more