ABSTRACT
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) have enforced regulations to reduce the potential health hazards associated with asbestos exposure. However, the increased incidences of asbestos-related disease, the threat of litigation, and increased regulatory pressures have made asbestos a leading public health concern as well. OSHA has regulated asbestos since the early 1970s. On December 7, 1971, OSHA issued an Asbestos Emergency Temporary Standard in response to a petition by the Industrial Union Department of the AFL-CIO. On June 20, 1986, OSHA published the Final Rule for Occupational Exposure to Asbestos, Tremolite, Anthophyllite, and Actinolite. OSHA has granted a partial administrative stay for occupational exposure to non-asbestiform tremolite, anthophyllite, and actinolite from provisions of the revised asbestos standards. The continued stay was issued to allow OSHA time to review information received after the record for the revised standard had been closed, and to collect more data.
