Brayton Purcell LLP Urges Action as California Weighs Engineered Stone Restrictions Amid Rising Silicosis Cases
A public hearing is scheduled for May 21, 2026, at 10:00 a.m. as regulators consider a recommendation from Cal/OSHA and the California Occupational Safety and Health Standards Board regarding engineered stone, which may contain over 1% crystalline silica. This proposal, known as Petition 609, was submitted by the Western Occupational and Environmental Medicine Association (WOEMA), which represents more than 600 medical professionals.
The recommendation comes on the heels of findings that link exposure to crystalline silica in artificial stone to an increasing epidemic of silicosis among workers in California. The Standards Board has yet to vote on the recommendation.
The upcoming public hearing will allow the Board to consider the proposal and hear public comments. As the use of artificial stone countertops remains prevalent across the United States, the Board's decision could have significant implications for manufacturing practices and product availability nationwide. Public health and legal experts are closely watching California's actions as a potential model for other states facing similar concerns about occupational health and safety.
"This is one of the most urgent occupational health issues we are seeing today," said James Nevin, a partner at Brayton Purcell LLP. "The rise in silicosis cases shows that traditional protections used for natural stone are not effective, and workers are continuing to be exposed to dangerous levels of silica dust."
The Standards Board's deliberations are informed by testimony from a range of stakeholders, including medical professionals and California countertop fabrication workers. Cal/OSHA's investigation found that engineered stone contains high levels of crystalline silica, generates hazardous airborne dust during fabrication, and poses risks to workers even under regulated conditions, leading to the conclusion that existing regulatory measures have not been sufficient to prevent disease.
The Board's discussions will also address statements from WOEMA acknowledging the need for expedited rulemaking to effectively prohibit the fabrication and installation of engineered stone, citing available alternatives to mitigate risks to workers and their families. The public is invited to participate in the hearing both online and in person at the Ronald Reagan State Building in Los Angeles, CA.