A New OSHA Silica Rule? Bad Policy That Feeds the Litigation Epidemic

photo-1About the Author Henry Chajet, Esq., is a partner at the law firm of Patton Boggs, LLP, in Washington, D.C. He primarily provides counsel and representation on environmental, health and safety (EH&S) matters, with a focus on crisis management, dispute resolution, trial and appellate litigation, standard setting, preventive law and risk reduction, and regulatory and congressional proceedings. Mr. Chajet defends investigations and enforcement actions by OSHA, MSHA, EPA, DOT, NTSB, NIOSH, and other federal and state agencies, as well as related tort claims and criminal cases, and EH&S whistleblower or discrimination claims.

In late October 2003, …