The National Stone, Sand & Gravel Association (NSSGA) met with U.S. Labor Secretary Alexander Acosta to address regulations faced by aggregate operations.
According to NSSGA, its members mainly addressed the effects of the Mine Safety & Health Administration’s (MSHA) upcoming workplace examination rule, which is set to go into effect on Oct. 2. NSSGA wants MSHA to provide clarity for what it says are vague definitions in the rule. For instance, the rule requires a work area must be examined before work begins. According to NSSGA, the rule doesn’t define what a working place is or what red flags detected during such an exam would warrant reporting.
MSHA could delay the regulation to allow for its complexities to be worked out and clearly articulated to the industry before proceeding, NSSGA adds.
“We let Secretary Acosta know that our industry wholeheartedly supports advancing President Trump’s ambitious agenda, especially when it comes to infrastructure investment and reforming onerous regulations,” says Laura O’Neill Kaumo, senior vice president of government and regulatory affairs at NSSGA. “Our members face an overwhelming amount of rules that impede their ability to produce the rocks that build America and offer little or no benefits for businesses and communities alike.”
At the meeting, NSSGA also highlighted regulations that would improve safety and environmental stewardship if updated to the current state of the industry.
