It appears that the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) may be taking a harder look at OSHA’s proposed silica standard, which would lower the permissible exposure limit on crystalline-silica. While OSHA had expected to issue a proposed rule in spring 2011, OMB recently announced that it was extending the 90-day review period for the standard.
OSHA had sent the proposed rule for OMB review on February 14, 2011. OMB then held meetings with industry members in March and April. It is unclear how much additional time OMB will take to continue reviewing the standard.
