The California Occupational Safety and Health Standards Board met on June 18, 2026 for its monthly public hearing and business meeting. While the formal public hearing focused on elevator safety orders, the meeting also included important updates for stakeholders following California’s rapidly developing response to occupational exposure to respirable crystalline silica in the stone fabrication industry and the meeting offered several important takeaways.
At this time, silica and stone fabrication remain a major enforcement and rulemaking priority for the board. Cal/OSHA reported continued inspection activity targeting countertop fabrication shops and reported that, as of June 15, Cal/OSHA had opened 192 inspections at countertop fabricators. As of the time of the meeting, 74% of those inspections had been closed, and 93% of the closed inspections involved violations. Further, Cal/OSHA reported that 32 inspections resulted in “Orders Prohibiting Use,” which stop certain operations until unsafe conditions are corrected. The conditions discussed included dry cutting of stone, inadequate respiratory protection, dry sweeping, and other practices that can expose workers to hazardous silica dust. More than 900 citations had been issued, with total penalties of approximately $1.9 million.
Emergency Silica Rulemaking is Moving Forward
The Board previously requested that Cal/OSHA pursue emergency rulemaking to amend California’s silica regulations. At the June 18 meeting, Cal/OSHA confirmed that it is working on both tracks requested by the Board: emergency rulemaking and advisory committee development. Cal/OSHA stated that it is considering what should be included in an emergency rule and how best to protect workers from exposure to respirable crystalline silica on an expedited basis. It is also developing a list of topics for advisory committees and has received interest from several stakeholders seeking to participate. The Board chair expressed concern that development of an emergency temporary standard should not be delayed by the advisory committee process and described the need for a “temporary tactical pause” for fabrication of dangerous products until regulators can determine how to proceed. He also discussed the need for a science-focused process to build a strong factual record that can support future regulatory action and withstand legal or administrative challenge. This discussion signals that California is likely to continue pursuing significant regulatory action related to engineered stone fabrication and silica exposure. Stakeholders should expect both near-term emergency measures and longer-term rulemaking discussions.
A Scientific Record Will Be Central to Future Silica Regulation
One of the most important themes of Standards Board discussion on respirable crystalline silica, was the need for a defensible scientific record. The Board chair explained that claims on both sides of the engineered stone debate need to be tested against facts and not competing opinions. He described two competing positions that have emerged in the debate: one view that engineered stone can be fabricated safely with proper controls, and another view that current fabrication practices have not shown that the material can be handled safely in real-world conditions. The stated purpose of a science subcommittee would be to build a factual record to help determine what California should do after any emergency regulation expires. The chair reported that, while he had asked NIOSH to provide an independent scientist to participate in the process, the request was denied. However, NIOSH did provide information outlining its position based on existing publications, and the chair indicated that those materials should become part of the rulemaking record.
Key Takeaways from the June California Occupational Safety and Health Standards Board Meeting
In sum, the June 18 meeting confirmed that occupational silica exposure in the stone fabrication industry remains a central priority for Cal/OSHA and the Standards Board, as the Cal/OSHA’s inspection data reflects widespread noncompliance, including continued findings involving dry cutting, inadequate respiratory protection, and other unsafe practices. While the Board’s discussion signaled that emergency rulemaking remains actively under consideration, the Board also emphasized the importance of building a strong scientific and factual record to support any longer-term regulatory action. For stakeholders, the key takeaway is that California is moving on parallel tracks: immediate enforcement and emergency protections on one hand, and a more developed advisory and scientific process on the other.
The next Cal/OSHA Standards Board public meeting is scheduled for July 16, 2026.
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