Cal/OSHA cites nine employers for silica safety violations

California’s Division of Occupational Safety and Health on Tuesday announced citations against nine employers in the greater Los Angeles area as part of its effort to address the growing number of silicosis cases among stone workers in the state.

The safety violations include more than $168,000 in fines, with most of the employers fined $18,785.

Cal/OSHA inspections determined that all of the employers were in violation of “multiple” regulations, including failure to use methods to effectively suppress dust and failure to provide their employees with full-face, tight-fitting, power air-purifying respirators.

With the increase in silicosis cases across the state, Cal/OSHA has intensified its enforcement and education efforts.

In 2023, the agency adopted an emergency temporary standard to enhance existing guidelines for respirable crystalline silica hazards.

The Occupational Safety and Health Standards Board (OSHSB) voted to readopt that standard at a meeting this month.