Aggregates Manager Digital Magazine
Issue link: http://read.dmtmag.com/i/199290
ROCKLAW ance. OSHA believes that engineering controls are reliable, provide consistent levels of protection to a large number of workers, can be monitored, allow for predictable performance levels, and can efficiently remove a substance from the workplace. Additionally, OSHA believes that the effectiveness of engineering controls does not generally depend on human behavior to the same extent as personal protective equipment. Industry experts estimate the annualized cost of compliance to be an astounding $658 million. OSHA expects that hydraulic fracturing will be the industry most heavily affected by the proposed rule. Given the exponential growth of hydraulic fracturing operations in the United States, this industry faces enormous costs of complying with the proposed rule. It is arguable whether requiring industry-wide compliance with a dramatically reduced PEL will result in significant protection against silica-related diseases. The experience of groups like the National Industrial Sand Association, whose member companies have a long-standing history of voluntarily compliance, demonstrates that compliance with the current PEL is more than enough to protect workers exposed to crystalline silica. OSHA compliance sampling, however, reveals a non-compliance rate greater than 30 percent, showing that greater enforcement of the current PEL is what is needed for a continued reduction in silica-related diseases. The proposed reduced PEL is also problematic as few laboratories exist across the country with the ability to measure silica exposure accurately and reliably at such low concentrations. While OSHA asserts there are "numerous" accredited laboratories that may be able to accurately measure exposure levels at the proposed PEL, it hinted that implementation of the laboratory requirement may be necessarily delayed. The proposed rule has been submitted for publication in the Federal Register. OSHA will hold informal hearings, open to the public, in Washington, D.C. These hearings are expected to begin on March 4, 2014. More information on the proposed rule may be found on OSHA's website: http:// www.osha.gov/silica/nprm.pdf. AM The 2014 HCEA Calendars are available! Featuring 12 full page black & white photographs carefully scanned and restored from rare originals depicting construction equipment from all eras! The only calendar of this type offered! Dealers! Contractors! Distributors! wielding am eight-foot ing 3,575 pounds and grader at work. Weigh all pull graders. crawler and No. 22 pull year that Cat discontinued May Photo - A Cat RD4 1936 through 1942, the 22 was produced from blade, the No. HCEA Archives) (Caterpillar, Inc. image, See the following page for info about ordering customized imprints! Order your 2014 HCEA Calendar today! Order online at www.hcea.net or order by phone at 419-352-5616 with your Visa, Discover, or MasterCard, or fill out the form below. 2014 HCEA Calendar Order Form (with HCEA imprint) Please send _____ copy(s) of the 2014 HCEA Calendar @ $10.00 each. $_________ Total Calendar Cost $_________ 6.5% Sales Tax (Ohio residents only) $_________ Total Enclosed (shipping and handling is included) Send this form, along with check or money order (U.S. funds only), to: Daytime Phone: HCEA 16623 Liberty Hi Road Bowling Green, OH 43402 County (Ohio only): Ship To: Contact: Address: City/State/Zip: or order online at www.hcea.net! Text INFO to 205-289-3782 or visit www.aggman.com/info Untitled-31 1 RockLaw_AGRM1113.indd 33 Experience: Retired November 2011 following 41 years with the U.S. Geological Survey • USGS Aggregate Resource Geologist 1977-2011 • Past Chair and Distinguished Service Award recipient, Society for Mining, Metallurgy, and Exploration, Industrial Minerals and Aggregates Division • Author of ASBPE award-winning columns - Carved In Stone, Aggregates Manager, 1998-Present Services Offered: Applied geology and geological research for construction rocks and minerals, with an emphasis on aggregates. • Resource evaluation • Non-technical writing • Expert testimony • Conflict assessment • Technical writing and review • Lecturer Contact me at: Bill_Langer@hotmail.com www.researchgeologist.com Text INFO to 205-289-3782 or visit www.aggman.com/info 9/4/13 4:39 PM BillLanger_AGRM0213.indd 1 AGGREGATES MANAGER November 2013 33 5/15/13 9:04 AM 10/21/13 3:14 PM