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Assembly committee advances bill to address silicosis risk in countertop fabrication
Summary
SB 20, sponsored by Sen. Menjivar, would strengthen training and certification requirements for workers who cut engineered stone countertops to reduce silicosis risk; the Labor and Employment Committee passed the bill and re‑referred it to Appropriations.
Sen. Menjivar presented SB 20, a bill aimed at preventing occupational silicosis among countertop fabricators by establishing training, certification and implementation measures for employers and workers who cut and finish engineered stone.
The senator said silicosis is an incurable disease caused when workers inhale respirable crystalline silica dust generated while cutting engineered stone products. The author cited rising cases concentrated in Los Angeles County and said OSHA introduced emergency regulations that were recently made permanent; nevertheless, deaths and new cases continue to occur. Supporters included the State Building and Construction Trades Council, operating engineers, sheet‑metal and pipe trades councils, and industry groups that offered “support if amended” while working with the author on implementation details such as a certified shop database and DIR resources.
Supporters emphasized life‑saving potential and noted 331 confirmed silicosis cases and 19 deaths as of July 3 (figures cited in testimony). Industry groups said they supported the bill’s objectives and sought clarifying amendments on database access and funding for DIR implementation. The committee voted to pass SB 20 and re‑refer it to the Committee on Appropriations with a reported 6–0 vote.
Why it matters: proponents said the bill is a public‑health and worker‑safety measure to prevent an incurable lung disease affecting primarily Latino workers in countertop fabrication shops; supporters and industry groups agreed on goal but sought implementation amendments.
