California Board Makes ‘Engineered Stone’ Safety Rule Permanent

California workplace safety regulators agreed to make permanent an emergency silica dust rule covering manufacturers that cut and grind man-made “engineered stone” and natural stone.

By a 6-0 vote Thursday, the California Occupational Safety and Health Standards Board unanimously approved the regulation that sets new requirements to prevent workers from inhaling toxic silica dust, potentially causing chronic lung disease.

The board also unanimously voted to establish an advisory committee to look into refining the regulation after receiving preliminary data during the hearing that suggested the measure—which includes engineered control methods like the wet cutting requirement—may not be strong enough. ...