Emergency Silica Advisory CommitteeAdvisory Meetings
Title 8 Industrial Relations
General Industry Safety Orders
Section 5204 Occupational Exposures to Respirable Crystalline Silica.
The Division of Occupational Safety and Health (Cal/OSHA) will convene an advisory committee to provide input to Cal/OSHA on a proposal for emergency changes to the Title 8 section 5204, Occupational Exposures to Respirable Crystalline Silica. The changes will clarify worker protections required when cutting and polishing artificial stone and similarly hazardous materials used in the countertop industry. The changes are necessary to stop a silicosis epidemic among workers in this industry.
The committee will consist of persons from public and private employers covered by section 5204, trade associations, labor organizations that represent employees covered by section 5204, community groups, public agencies, and occupational and disease experts. Members of the public who are not on the committee may observe the meeting and provide written comments at RS@dir.ca.gov no later than August 17, 2023. Please include in your comments the specific edits to section 5204 you are proposing.
La División de Seguridad y Salud Ocupacional (Cal/OSHA) convocará a un comité consultivo para que proporcione información a Cal/OSHA sobre una propuesta de cambios de emergencia al Título 8, artículo 5204, exposiciones ocupacionales a la sílice cristalina respirable. Los cambios aclararán las protecciones de los trabajadores requeridas al cortar y pulir piedra artificial y materiales peligrosos similares utilizados en la industria de encimeras y mostradores. Los cambios son necesarios para detener una epidemia de silicosis entre los trabajadores de esta industria.
El comité estará formado por personas de empresas cubiertas por el artículo 5204, asociaciones profesionales, organizaciones sindicales que representen a los empleados cubiertos por el artículo 5204, grupos comunitarios, organismos públicos y expertos en enfermedades profesionales. Los miembros del público que no formen parte del comité podrán observar la reunión y enviar comentarios por escrito a RS@dir.ca.gov a más tardar el 17 de agosto de 2023. Por favor, incluya en sus comentarios las modificaciones específicas de la sección 5204 que propone.
Meeting Documents
- Agenda
- Discussion Draft Language
- Roster
- Video and audio recording of August 9, 2023 Emergency Silica Advisory Committee Meeting
- Comments and Technical Documents:
- Fazio JC, Gandhi SA, Flattery J, et al. Silicosis Among Immigrant Engineered Stone (Quartz) Countertop Fabrication Workers in California. (JAMA Intern Med. Published online July 24, 2023. doi:10.1001/jamainternmed.2023.3295)
- Graphic of Countertop Distribution from United Marble & Granite
- Petition requesting emergency changes to the silica regulation from the Western Occupational and Environmental Medical Association
- Supplemental Reports:
- American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists Threshold Limit Value for Crystalline Silica of 25 micrograms per cubic meter, 2012.
- Australian Institute of Occupational Hygienists (AIOH). AIOH Submission on the Prohibition on the Use of Engineered Stone. May 2023.
- León-Jiménez, Antonio et al. Artificial Stone Silicosis: Rapid Progression Following Exposure Cessation. Chest, Volume 158, Issue 3, 2020.
- National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health. HHE Report No. 2014-0215-3250. Evaluation of Crystalline Silica Exposure during Fabrication of Natural and Engineered Stone Countertops. 2016.
- National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health. In-Depth Survey Report Engineering Control of Silica Dust from Stone Countertop Fabrication and Installation. 2016.
- National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health. Comprehensive Report: Engineering Control of Silica Dust from Stone Countertop Fabrication and Installation – Evaluation of Wetting Methods for Grinding. 2021
- OEHHA Chronic Recommended Exposure Limit for Respirable Crystalline Silica of 3 micrograms per cubic meter, 2005.
- A 't Mannetje A et al.. Exposure-response analysis and risk assessment for silica and silicosis mortality in a pooled analysis of six cohorts. Occup. Environ. Med. 2002 Nov;59(11):723-8.
- Univision Noticias. La enfermedad silenciosa que está amenazando la salud y las vidas de muchos trabajadores inmigrantes. 2022.
- Fazio JC, Gandhi SA, Flattery J, et al. Silicosis Among Immigrant Engineered Stone (Quartz) Countertop Fabrication Workers in California. (JAMA Intern Med. Published online July 24, 2023. doi:10.1001/jamainternmed.2023.3295)
- Graphic of Countertop Distribution from United Marble & Granite
- American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists Threshold Limit Value for Crystalline Silica of 25 micrograms per cubic meter, 2012.
- Australian Institute of Occupational Hygienists (AIOH). AIOH Submission on the Prohibition on the Use of Engineered Stone. May 2023.
- León-Jiménez, Antonio et al. Artificial Stone Silicosis: Rapid Progression Following Exposure Cessation. Chest, Volume 158, Issue 3, 2020.
- National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health. HHE Report No. 2014-0215-3250. Evaluation of Crystalline Silica Exposure during Fabrication of Natural and Engineered Stone Countertops. 2016.
- National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health. In-Depth Survey Report Engineering Control of Silica Dust from Stone Countertop Fabrication and Installation. 2016.
- National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health. Comprehensive Report: Engineering Control of Silica Dust from Stone Countertop Fabrication and Installation – Evaluation of Wetting Methods for Grinding. 2021
- OEHHA Chronic Recommended Exposure Limit for Respirable Crystalline Silica of 3 micrograms per cubic meter, 2005.
- A 't Mannetje A et al.. Exposure-response analysis and risk assessment for silica and silicosis mortality in a pooled analysis of six cohorts. Occup. Environ. Med. 2002 Nov;59(11):723-8.
- Univision Noticias. La enfermedad silenciosa que está amenazando la salud y las vidas de muchos trabajadores inmigrantes. 2022.
October 2023