USW miners achieved a major breakthrough two years ago when, after years of advocacy, the U.S. Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) adopted a rule with real teeth to protect them from cancer-causing silica.
But now, they’re once again fighting for their lives as the administration, mine operators and industry groups work to gut the rule before enforcement ever begins.
“I just feel like we’re living in a movie, and we already know what the ending is: It’s a whole bunch of sick miners,” Local 13214 President Marshal Cummings said after MSHA paused enforcement of the rule in April 2025, shortly before operators had to comply.
Cummings, who works at the WE Soda trona mine in Green River, Wyo., testified twice about the need for the rule and the dangers he and his co-workers face every day.
However, in November, MSHA extended the enforcement pause on the Biden-era rule and announced plans to reconsider it entirely. MSHA has not yet announced a timetable for taking comments under the reopened rulemaking process.
Inhalation of silica dust not only causes cancer but kidney disease, COPD, the incurable lung scarring known as silicosis and other life-threatening conditions. Thousands of workers in various kinds of mines, quarries and other workplaces stand to benefit from the rule, which would lower exposure thresholds and require operators to implement certain safety measures and monitor miners’ health.
“It’s absurd to think that there is anything left to debate when it comes to protecting miners from the effects of silica exposure,” said Cathy Drummond, District 11 Director and co-chair on the USW’s Mining Council. “MSHA adopted a rule. MSHA must endorse that rule. And our union will keep fighting until these basic, common-sense protections are extended to all workers.”
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