At Fly-In, AFS members bring infrastructure message and continue silica fight
Investing in U.S. infrastructure and delaying enforcement of OSHA’s silica rule were the central messages from metalcasters May 15-16 at the AFS Government Affairs Fly-In in Washington, D.C.
The event combined up-to-the-minute policy briefings with opportunities to meet face-to-face with legislators on Capitol Hill. During their visits with elected officials, AFS members discussed the importance of investing in the nation’s crumbling infrastructure, workforce challenges and the benefits of the recent tax reform package. They also urged legislators to sign onto House and Senate letters to OSHA requesting a 180-day delay on enforcement of the new silica rule, which is scheduled to go into effect June 23.
Another highlight of the event was the presentation of the Metalcasting Industry Eagle Award. This year’s recipients were Sen. Ron Johnson (R-Wisconsin) and Rep. Bill Johnson (R-Ohio), both of whom have shown great support for metalcasting and wider industry.
AFS, NAM request delay on OSHA rule
At the same time AFS members were advocating for the metalcasting at the Fly-In, AFS and the National Association of Manufacturers were teaming up to ask the Department of Labor to delay enforcement of its impending silica rule.
In a jointly signed letter sent May 16, AFS and NAM requested the DOL push back enforcement of the crystalline silica rule for general industry for six months, until Dec. 23, 2018. AFS and NAM also filed a Petition for Limited Re-opening of the Rulemaking Record and Administrative Stay.
View the AFS Advocacy video here.