A permanent standard to safeguard employees against respirable crystalline silica (RCS) has been unanimously accepted by the California Occupational Safety and Health Standards Board.
A recent announcement states that the ruling expands upon emergency measures that were implemented in December 2023. This action is intended to protect workers in sectors like countertop production, which frequently uses natural stone and artificial stone that contains more than 10% crystalline silica.
Since 2019, more than 230 Californian workers have contracted silicosis, a progressive, incurable illness brought on by silica dust exposure. The California Department of Public Health reports that 14 linked deaths have been reported. The revised standard strengthens enforcement capabilities and improves safety measures, monitoring, and reporting requirements to mitigate the dangers associated with RCS exposure.
Cal/OSHA carried out 85 silica-related inspections in the last 12 months, issuing citations in 95% of cases that were finished. Of these, 26 percent of examined shops received Orders Prohibiting Use (OPUs), which temporarily stop the use of hazardous equipment or processes until compliance is obtained, and 53 out of 56 inspections resulted in violations.
Additionally, the Standards Board approved the formation of an advisory committee to explore further protective measures against silica dust exposure. The Standards Board’s objective is “to adopt reasonable reasonable and enforceable standards that are at least as effective as federal standards” as well as to respond to applications for variances from adopted standards and petitions for new or revised standards.
The proposal now awaits review by the Office of Administrative Law, which has 30 working days to either approve or deny it.
