The Concerning Rise in Silicosis Among CA Workers

Late last month, California’s Division of Occupational Safety and Health (Cal/OSHA) took enforcement action against nine employers in the greater Los Angeles area, citing them for serious health and safety violations related to silica exposure. This action is part of Cal/OSHA’s ongoing effort to combat a concerning and growing number of silicosis cases among stone workers in California. Silicosis is an incurable lung disease caused by inhaling respirable crystalline silica dust. The health risks associated with silica are well-documented, yet far too often, employers fail to implement even the most basic dust suppression methods or provide adequate respiratory protection.

The citations issued by Cal/OSHA to employers for failing to provide tight-fitting full-face, air-purifying respirators and adequate dust control highlight the widespread negligence that puts workers’ health and lives at risk. When employers disregard safety regulations, the consequences for workers can be dire, particularly when dealing with Silicosis. Once the disease develops, it is irreversible, and the only potential cure is a lung transplant—an option that is neither accessible nor guaranteed for most workers. For those who are lucky enough to survive, they face a lifetime of medical treatments, loss of income, and diminished quality of life.

The recent actions by Cal/OSHA, while significant, are not enough to undo the harm that has already been done. Many of the workers affected by these violations will suffer the effects of their exposure for years, if not for the rest of their lives. However, the $168,000 in fines and the publicity surrounding these citations are important steps in raising awareness of the dangers of silica exposure. Employers must be held responsible not only for violations of safety regulations but also for the lives they put at risk when they fail to protect their employees from preventable hazards. About 4,040 workers are employed in California’s stone fabrication shops. Based on a silicosis prevalence rate of 12% to 21% and a fatality rate of 19%, Cal/OSHA estimates that between 500 and 850 cases of silicosis will occur among these workers, and between 90 and 160 will likely die of silicosis.

Cal/OSHA has been increasing its efforts to raise awareness and enforce safety standards to protect workers from the dangers of silica exposure. The agency’s initiatives include a bilingual public awareness campaign aimed at educating both employers and employees about the risks associated with respirable crystalline silica and how to prevent exposure. The campaign provides resources and information on proper safety equipment use and safe worksite practices through the website worksafewithsilica.org. This is especially important as the majority of those affected by silicosis in California are young Latino men working in stone fabrication shops. In addition to enforcing regulations, it is essential that workers understand their rights and how to protect themselves. Cal/OSHA’s recent bilingual public awareness campaign is a valuable resource, but more needs to be done to ensure that workers know they have the right to a safe work environment.

Ultimately, Cal/OSHA’s efforts to crack down on silica violations and to educate workers and employers are a step in the right direction, but the fight to protect workers’ health and safety is far from over. As the number of silicosis cases continues to rise in California, employers must take their responsibility seriously. No worker should have to sacrifice their health or their life for their job.