California OSHA Issues New Silica Exposure Standards for Fabricated Stone Workers

More than 230 fabricated stone workers in California have been diagnosed with silicosis since 2019, which has resulted in at least 14 deaths.

Officials in California have adopted new safety standards for those working with artificial or fabricated stone countertop products, in order to reduce the risk of silicosis, a severe and irreversible lung condition that often results in death.

Silicosis is only known to be caused by breathing in silica dust, involving lung inflammation and scarring, which can eventually progress to lung failure.

A major source of silica dust is the fabricated stone countertop industry. Often referred to as “engineered stone,” these popular quartz countertops have been linked to a significant silicosis risk for workers, who often inhale large volumes of silica dust as they shape and cut the countertops to fit consumers’ kitchens and bathrooms.

Over the past few years, a growing number of workers and surviving family members have been pursuing silicosis lawsuits against manufacturers and distributors of quartz countertops, alleging that they failed to provide information to stone cutters and fabricators about the potential risks associated with exposure to silica dust, and serious question have been raised about whether the industry is doing enough to protect workers.

In a press release on December 19, the California Occupational Safety and Health Standards Board announced that it had voted unanimously to permanently enshrine what had been emergency regulations for the protection of those working with respirable crystalline silica (RCS), more commonly known as silica dust.

The emergency regulations were put in place on December 29, 2023, requiring improved monitoring of workers, a stronger reporting process, exposure assessment rules and others designed to lower the risk of silicosis. In addition, the Board also voted last month to create an advisory committee to look at potential additional measures to protect workers from silica exposure.

“Over the past 12 months, the California Division of Occupational Safety and Health (Cal/OSHA) conducted 85 inspections related to silica exposure. As part of this effort, 26% of the shops inspected received Orders Prohibiting Use (OPUs), which temporarily shut down equipment or processes that pose immediate safety risks until the issues are fixed,” the press release states. “Additionally, citations were issued in approximately 95% of the closed inspections, with 53 out of 56 resulting in violations. This highlights the significant enforcement actions taken to improve workplace safety around silica exposure.”

The decision comes as California lawmakers also consider legislation requiring new training and certification processes, known as the Silicosis Training, Outreach, and Prevention (STOP) Act (SB 20), which was introduced by California State Senator Caroline Menjivar, of the San Fernando Valley. The area is considered the epicenter for silicosis.

According to the press release, more than 230 California workers have developed silicosis since 2019. There have been 14 known silicosis deaths. The dangers posed by silica dust have been described as “the new asbestos,” referring to the toxic fiber linked to the development of mesothelioma, which was banned decades ago.