Nation's Top Construction Officials Says Federal Officials Would Have Done More to Improve Workplace Safety By Finding Ways to Get More Firms to Comply with the Current Standard

Thursday, March 24, 2016 - The chief executive officer of the Associated General Contractors of America issued the following statement today in response to the release of a final federal regulation governing exposure to silica by the U.S. Department of Labor today:

"Instead of crafting new and innovative ways to get more firms to comply with the current silica standard, which we know would save even more workers each year, administration officials appear to have instead opted to set a new standard that is well beyond the capabilities of current air filtration and dust removal technologies. Wishing firms could meet this new but unattainable standard will undoubtedly deliver many positive headlines for the administration, but it will be all but impossible for most construction firms to comply with this new rule.

"We will continue our exhaustive review of this new regulation, consult with our members and decide on a future course of action that will best serve the health and safety of millions of construction workers across the country."

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Brian Turmail 
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