Bill > SB20

This bill addresses occupational safety concerns for workers engaged in fabrication activities on stone slab solid surface products, particularly focusing on preventing silicosis, a serious lung disease caused by exposure to crystalline silica dust. The bill requires fabrication shops to use only wet methods when working with stone slabs, prohibiting dry cutting or grinding techniques that generate harmful airborne dust. Beginning July 1, 2027, the Department of Industrial Relations must develop and implement a comprehensive certification process for fabrication shops, which includes a mandatory training curriculum for workers, workplace safety inspections, and a three-year certification system. Shops must demonstrate compliance with safety standards, maintain workers' compensation insurance, and implement air quality monitoring programs. The bill prohibits suppliers from providing stone slab products to fabrication shops without proper certification and requires those seeking fabrication services to verify a shop's valid certification. To support implementation, the bill establishes a Slab Fabrication Activity Account to collect fees and fund the program's administration. The legislation is particularly motivated by rising silicosis cases among young immigrant workers in the stone fabrication industry, with the goal of preventing potentially fatal workplace lung diseases through strict safety regulations and mandatory training.

Budget and Finance, Health and Social Services, Labor and Employment

https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billStatusClient.xhtml?bill_id=202520260SB20