With a unanimous 37-0 vote, the California State Senate has approved Senate Bill 20 (SB 20), also known as the Silicosis Training, Outreach, and Prevention (STOP) Act, moving it forward to the State Assembly. The proposed legislation aims to strengthen protections for workers exposed to toxic silica dust while cutting and polishing artificial stone slabs used in kitchen and bathroom countertops.
Artificial stone has surged in popularity due to its affordability and ease of maintenance compared to natural materials like granite or marble. However, when these factory-made slabs are cut without proper safety equipment, they release fine silica particles that can cause a severe and fast-progressing form of silicosis.
“Since I introduced the bill, more than 80 new cases have been identified. Even after Cal/OSHA adopted permanent regulations, the numbers continue to rise,” said State Senator Caroline Menjivar, the bill’s author.
The San Fernando Valley remains the epicenter of silicosis cases in California, highlighting the urgency of legislative action. In response, Los Angeles County has declared June as Silicosis Awareness Month, underscoring the growing public health crisis.
What SB 20 Proposes:
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Requires the Department of Industrial Relations to implement a training program focused on safe fabrication practices.
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Establishes a certification process for fabrication shops and workers that aligns with Cal/OSHA safety standards.
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Issues three-year certifications only to shops and workers that demonstrate full compliance and proper training.
If enacted, SB 20 would be a critical step toward preventing new cases of silicosis and ensuring safer working conditions across California’s booming artificial stone industry. With bipartisan support and growing awareness of the disease’s deadly impact, the bill is poised to make California a leader in protecting vulnerable workers from occupational health hazards.
