Key topics included the formation of a scientific subcommittee, limited agency enforcement resources, and a proposal for mandatory fabricator licensing.
Reaffirming its active presence in the institutional processes shaping the future of the stone industry, the Natural Stone Institute (NSI) participated in the July 31 Cal/OSHA Silica Advisory Committee meeting.
NSI CEO Jim Hieb emphasized the organization’s steadfast commitment to representing its members at every regulatory stage:
“We continue to participate in every meeting that could affect our members and the natural stone industry,” Hieb stated.
Scientific Evaluation and Material Distinction
One of the most significant updates from the meeting was the anticipated formation of a scientific subcommittee. Its role will be to evaluate concerns specific to natural stone. The subcommittee is expected to convene after California completes its rulemaking process related to the proposed prohibition on engineered quartz surfaces.
This step is considered crucial, as the NSI stresses the importance of clearly distinguishing between natural stone and synthetic materials, advocating that regulations must be grounded in credible scientific evidence.
Implementation Challenges and Alternative Proposals
The meeting also featured discussion regarding widespread concerns about the practical implementation of new regulations, highlighting Cal/OSHA’s limited enforcement resources.
In response, alternative solutions for long-term worker protection were raised. Among them, participants suggested that a comprehensive fabricator licensure program, coupled with controls on slab sales, could provide stronger and more durable safety protections for the industry.
The NSI remains committed to advocating for policies that protect worker safety while ensuring that regulations recognize the fundamental distinctions between natural stone and other countertop materials.
