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Assembly Bill (AB) 3043 Aims to Mitigate the Dangers of Silicosis

As reported in San Fernando Valley Sun on February 21, 2024  - A Silicosis Epidemic in the Northeast San Fernando Valley, Assembly Bill (AB) 3043, introduced by Assemblywoman Luz Rivas, represents a critical legislative effort to address the severe health risks faced by workers in the artificial stone fabrication industry. This bill aims to mitigate the dangers of silicosis, a fatal lung disease caused by inhaling respirable crystalline silica (RCS), which is prevalent in high concentrations in artificial stone. While AB 3043 is a commendable step towards enhancing workplace safety, it is not be sufficient to eliminate the inherent risks associated with artificial stone production. Only banning the product outright will safeguard worker health effectively.

Silicosis, resulting from prolonged exposure to silica dust, leads to lung inflammation, scarring, and, ultimately, severe respiratory issues and death. The artificial stone industry, particularly prevalent in the San Fernando Valley, exposes workers to nano-sized silica concentrations up to 95%, significantly higher than those found in natural stones. This high exposure level has led to a disturbing increase in accelerated silicosis cases, particularly among Latino immigrant workers, who form the majority of the workforce in this sector.

AB 3043 proposes several measures, including the prohibition of dry cutting and the establishment of training and certification programs for workers. These initiatives aim to reduce silica dust exposure and educate workers about safe handling practices. Additionally, the bill mandates the California Department of Industrial Relations (DIR) to track business compliance through a dedicated website, thereby holding fabrication shops accountable.  However, the bill does not include any funding for training, certification, or enforcement.

While these measures are a step in the right direction, they are not be enough to eliminate the risk of silicosis. The inherent danger lies in the very nature of artificial stone fabrication, which involves processes that inevitably produce high volumes of nano-sized silica dust. Even with stringent safety measures and training, workers will be exposed to hazardous levels of silica dust.   This ongoing risk is evidenced by the median age at death for workers with silicosis being 46 years, with a median of 15 years working in the industry, highlighting the devastating impact of this disease.

This is why the slab manufacturers don’t let their own workers even be in the same room as the manufacturing, and why Australia banned artificial stone.  It can only be fabricated safety with all wet equipment and all workers wearing full air-supplied respirators.  The Australia ban serves as a precedent for taking decisive action against materials that pose significant health risks. This bold move reflects a prioritization of worker health over industry interests, a stance that California should consider to truly protect its workers.