Cal/OSHA Should Clarify Standards: NSI
OBERLIN, Ohio – The Natural Stone Institute (NSI) is urging the California Occupational Safety and Health Standards Board to revise its standard regulating the use of engineered stone.
NSI is asking the board to incorporate clearer, science-based exposure limits that would better protect workers and distinguish engineered stone from natural stone.
The request came as part of the public comments in response to proposed emergency standards from Cal/OSHA, the Golden State’s workplace-safety agency. The comments were submitted Sept. 30.
The proposed standard would prohibit the fabrication and manufacture of man-made stone containing more than 1% crystalline silica. The proposal follows OSHSB Petition 609, which seeks additional protection for workers exposed to respirable crystalline silica during the fabrication and installation of engineered-stone products.
NSI emphasized its support for protecting workers from preventable silicosis while recommending that the state’s final regulations be based on scientific evidence that would clearly distinguish artificial stone from natural stone, as well as provide employers with requirements that can be consistently implemented and enforced.
Among its recommendations, NSI asked Cal/OSHA to make clear that the proposed standard applies specifically to artificial stone slabs and panels.
Additionally, it recommended that the wording related to artificial stone states that “natural stone, fired ceramic and porcelain slabs, tiles and panels not be regulated as artificial stone.”
NSI further suggested that proposed signage requirements remove the terms “quartz” and “cuarzo” so the terms can not be misinterpreted as referring to natural occurring mineral quartz.
The NSI also asked Cl/OSHA to provide research of medical evidence supporting a proposed 3-micrograms-per-cubic-meter action level, and a proposed respiratory protection requirement calling for respirators with an assigned protection factor (APF) of 10,000 in certain circumstances. Currently the APF level is 1,000 and should provide protection at exposure levels well above those recorded in Cal/OSHA visits and consultations.
Other recommendations submitted by NSI include:
*Clarifying what documents and records businesses must maintain to demonstrate compliance;
* Narrowing language defining the “Artificial Stone Action Level,” and;
*Clarifying what constitutes “Minor on-site adjustments” during installation to discourage high-exposure fabrication tasks from being performed in the field.
“The Natural Stone Institute greatly values worker safety and the critical need to protect employees from preventable silicosis caused by airborne respirable crystalline silica,” said Jim Hieb, NSI CEO. “NSI looks forward to continuing its role to advocate for employee safety, education and resources.”
