The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and
National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)
issued a hazard alert that urges employers in hydraulic
fracturing operations to take appropriate steps to protect
workers from silica exposure. Last month, in response to
findings reported by NIOSH that workers in fracking operations
were exposed to silica levels well in excess of OSHA permissible
and NIOSH recommended levels, the AFL-CIO, Mine Workers (UMWA)
and the United Steelworkers (USW) sent a letter to the federal
workplace safety agencies urging they act to protect workers in
these operations. AFL-CIO Health and Safety Director Peg
Seminario says the alert, issued yesterday, provides important
information to employers and workers involved in hydraulic
fracturing operations regarding the serious health threat from
silica exposures. It is critical that OSHA and NIOSH disseminate
this information, so that immediate action can be taken to
protect workers from silicosis and other sili