OSHA wants new regulations that could save lives taken by silicosis

Construction workers, miners, sand blasters, and road maintenance crews are among the two million American workers exposed to silica-one of the most common earth minerals-while working on the job. The tiny dust particles can build up in their lungs over time, leading to the potentially fatal lung disease silicosis. OSHA is fighting for stricter limits on how much silica dust workers can be exposed to on the job. Today there are still more than 1600 new cases of silicosis every year, leading to almost 100 deaths. Using water or a vacuum when cutting stone?will help reduce the amount of dust workers are exposed to. Wearing respirators during work will also help reduce the amount of dust workers inhale. OSHA believes new rules will save more lives.

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