A Written
Notice to Stakeholders - Temporary Enforcement Pause: Silica Rule
Issued: April 8, 2025
In an exercise of its enforcement discretion, the Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA), within the U.S. Department of Labor, announces a temporary enforcement pause of its final rule titled, “Lowering Miners’ Exposure to Respirable Crystalline Silica and Improving Respiratory Protection,” 89 Fed. Reg. 28,218 (Apr. 18, 2024) (“Silica Rule”). MSHA will temporarily pause enforcement of the requirements in 30 C.F.R. part 60 for coal mine operators until August 18, 2025, four months from the original compliance date of April 14, 2025.
See the official notice by clicking on the following link: https://www.msha.gov/notice-stakeholders
Spring Thaw 2025 Resources
MSHA Safety Services Inc. 2025 Preparations for the Part 60 Silica Standard - Access presentation
Pit & Quarry Article - https://www.pitandquarry.com/final-crystalline-silica-rule-emerges-from-msha/
MSHA - https://www.msha.gov/additional-silica-compliance-resources
NSSGA - https://www.nssga.org/news/nssga-statement-mshas-final-silica-rule
2025 Part 46 Training Resources
Miner Health Partnership - resources for addressing opioids, mental health, fatigue, and women in mining
https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/mining/about/minerhealth.html
MSHA Opioid Guide- excellent resource guide and steps to take for job site support of opioid crisis
https://www.msha.gov/opioid-resource-guide
Construction Industry Alliance for Suicide Prevention
https://cfma.org/suicideprevention
SAFE Workplaces - naloxone administration instructions, safety plan, no shame campaign
https://www.safeproject.us/workplaces/
Construction Suicide Prevention Partnership - Oregon-based group, rethink the drink, toolbox talks, promote hope, sample safety plans
https://www.suicide-stops-here.org/resources-2023/
988 Lifeline - call or text 988 for help immediately or to chat with someone
https://988lifeline.org/get-help/
More about MSHA Training
Part 46 requires 8 hours of Annual Refresher training for "Experienced and Newly Hired Miners," per recent MSHA regulations. The WACA Safety Committee is pleased to offer affordable and comprehensive Aggregate industry-specific training modules to help you satisfy these requirements.
The Part 46 Deadline for Annual Training is within 12 months of previous training.
The one-day course is designed to offer Aggregate industry-specific topics that can be used to modify your existing safety plan following successful completion. Four hours of first aid refresher training also contribute to annual training requirements. Each aggregate operation is responsible for a minimum of 30 minutes of site-specific training on changes at the mine site.
This year, we are assigning the additional task (1 hour) of conducting safety audits at your facilities. Miners will need to conduct self-audits on-site, identify issues or areas needing correction, and discuss safety meetings. *** Miners will leave these sessions with approx 6.5-7 hours of training.***
TOPICAL SESSION EXAMPLES
- Previous Year Fatality Review
- Hazard Awareness Identification
- Hosting and Rigging
- Rules to Live By
- Mobile Equipment / Housekeeping
- fall protection
- Energy Containment & Stored Energy
- PPE
- Topics change from year to year
Instructors are experienced Aggregate Industry Safety Managers, trained and qualified consultants and vendors, and NW regional MSHA personnel. Upon successful completion of either First Aid Training or Topical Training, miners will receive a certificate of completion for employee personal training files and on-site company safety plans.
For more information on this event, please call the Association office at 206-878-1622 or check the WACA Events calendar for the upcoming schedule. Classes are typically held in January and February in a number of locations.
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