CONTAMINANT: SILICA – “Artificial Stone” Silica Emergency Temporary Standard
ORIGIN: Moldex Technical Services Department
REVIEWED/UPDATED: August, 2024
Cal/OSHA published a safety and health Fact Sheet titled, “Silica Emergency Temporary Standard: Information for Employers,” in response to a concern that California is experiencing a silicosis epidemic among artificial stone fabrication workers. Cal/OSHA subsequently published an Executive Summary titled, “Emergency Temporary Silica Standard: What Employers Need to Know.” These documents contain important revisions aimed at protecting workers “engaged in high-exposure trigger tasks (cutting, grinding, polishing, clean up, etc.) involving artificial stone and natural stone containing more than 10% crystalline silica.”
Cal/OSHA Fact Sheet link:
https://www.dir.ca.gov/dosh/dosh_publications/emergency-silica-reg-employer-info.pdf
Cal/OSHA Executive Summary link:
https://www.dir.ca.gov/dosh/dosh_publications/Silica-ETS-What-Employers-Need-To-Know.pdf
Overview:
Artificial Stone, also referred to as engineered stone, is defined in the ETS as “any reconstituted, artificial, synthetic, composite, engineered, or manufactured stone, porcelain, or quartz typically with a binding material. It contains more than 90% crystalline silica.” Such products are often used as countertops, including in kitchens, bathrooms and other surfaces. Cal/OSHA’s ETS was issued after it determined that many workers are not being properly protected when working with and around artificial stone.
The ETS contains important revisions that employers must address when working with and around artificial or engineered stone. These revisions include employee exposure control precautions, a written exposure control plan, employee communication and training, exposure monitoring, silicosis and cancer reporting, and respirator protection. It is important that employers and employees engaged in this industry are aware of this ETS.
With regard to respirator protection, the ETS states that a full-face, tight-fitting powered air-purifying respirator (PAPR) or a respirator providing equal or greater protection equipped with a HEPA, N100, R100, or P100 filter must be provided for mandatory employee use. Combination organic vapor cartridges must also be used for artificial stone unless the employer demonstrates that employee exposures to any organic compounds known to be present in the artificial stone are not above the corresponding permissible exposure levels established in section 5155. Be advised: Moldex-Metric, Inc. does not manufacture or sell a PAPR.
The ETS further states that a loose-fitting PAPR, non-powered full-facepiece air-purifying respirator, or an equally protective alternative, such as a half-face PAPR may be permitted if an employer demonstrates exposures are below the action level through air monitoring every six months, unless a health care professional recommends greater protection.
Respirators must be used in accordance with an effectively implemented respirator protection program that meets the requirements of section 5144. It is imperative that the proper choice of respiratory protection be made by the employer based on the exposure levels specific to the work environment.
Link to section 5144:
https://www.dir.ca.gov/title8/5144.html
OSHA Reference links:
https://www.osha.gov/laws-regs/regulations/standardnumber/1910/1910.1053
https://www.osha.gov/sites/default/files/publications/OSHA3768.pdf
https://www.osha.gov/laws-regs/regulations/standardnumber/1910/1910.134