SB 20, to STOP Silicosis Cases Among California Workers, heads to the Assembly

SACRAMENTO - Senate Bill 20, the Silicosis Training, Outreach, and Prevention (STOP) Act, was approved by a 37-0 vote on the Senate Floor and heads to the California Assembly. This bill, authored by Senator Caroline Menjivar (D-San Fernando Valley), aims to address the rapid rise of silicosis cases among stone fabrication workers in California. Especially on the behalf of workers in her district of the San Fernando Valley, which was named ground zero for cases by the County of Los Angeles Department of Public Health. This win comes as June is declared Silicosis Awareness Month in Los Angeles County.

“Our momentum to STOP silicosis from becoming a full-fledged epidemic in California surges with SB 20 clearing the House of Origin hurdle, and being sent to my colleagues in the Assembly,” stated Senator Caroline Menjivar. “The San Fernando Valley continues to be the epicenter of silicosis cases in our state. Even after Cal/OSHA adopted new permanent rules, cases continue to be on the rise. In fact, since I introduced the bill, over 80 new cases have been identified. That is why SB 20 is still very much needed to fill in the oversight gaps that allow shops to slip through the cracks and exploit vulnerable workers. I am grateful that various stakeholders continue to be engaged in working to eradicate this disease in California.”

Senate Bill 20 will require the California Department of Industrial Relations (DIR) to:

• Adopt a training program on best practices related to fabrication activities.
• Develop a certification process for fabrication shops which reinforces California Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s (Cal/OSHA) safety standards and requires all workers to undergo DIR’s training program.
• Begin issuing three-year certificates to fabrication shops that meet DIR’s certification criteria.

SB 20 builds on the work of invested labor and industry stakeholders, as well as occupational health specialists who are at the table to advise on the bill and are committed to creating a safer environment for our stone fabrication workers.

SB 20 is expected to be referred to the Assembly Labor and Employment Committee and could be set for a hearing as soon as late June.

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