Lawmakers Respond to Delay in Enforcement of Silica Rule for Coal Miners
Senators Warner, Kaine, and Fetterman urge timely enforcement of new health and safety rule for coal miners.
- By Stasia DeMarco
- Apr 14, 2025
U.S. Sens. Mark Warner and Tim Kaine of Virginia, along with Sen. John Fetterman of Pennsylvania, criticized the Department of Labor on Friday for delaying enforcement of a new federal rule designed to protect coal miners from exposure to respirable crystalline silica, or silica dust.
The Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA), a division of the Labor Department, announced it would pause enforcement of its final rule aimed at reducing silica-related health hazards in mines.
“Coal miners deserve to go to work every day and come back healthy, and the recent decision by the Mine Safety and Health Administration delaying enforcement of their landmark rule to better protect miners from silica dust is an alarming abdication of responsibility,” the senators said in a joint statement. “Silica dust has caused severe black lung disease in young coal miners, and as the Trump administration continues to cause chaos through their indiscriminate funding cuts and firings, it’s our miners who are being left behind. We expect the Mine Safety and Health Administration to begin enforcement of this rule no later than their August 18, 2025 deadline.”
The senators had previously praised the Labor Department’s move to strengthen outdated silica standards, following years of advocacy to improve protections for workers exposed to toxic substances on the job.
Read the full press release on Senator Kaine’s website.
About the Author
Stasia DeMarco is the Content Editor for OH&S.