Cal/OSHA Board Adopts Emergency Standard for Crystalline Silica

California’s Occupational Safety and Health Standards Board approved an emergency temporary standard on respirable crystalline silica to protect workers from silicosis. The emergency temporary standard applies to workers engaged in tasks such as cutting, grinding, polishing and cleanup of artificial stone containing more than 0.1% crystalline silica, and natural stone containing more than 10% crystalline silica. “Workers who breathe in silica particles can develop silicosis — an incurable, progressive disease that causes serious and fatal health effects,” the Departme...