California Lawsuits Spike Due to Silica Crisis
The stone fabrication industry is grappling with a public health crisis centered in California, where hundreds of documented silicosis cases have led to widespread lawsuits, multi-million-dollar fines and new state laws designed to protect workers from silica dust exposure.
During a safety presentation at the Stone Industry Education event hosted by MSI at its San Diego facility, speakers from the Natural Stone Institute (NSI) detailed the severity of the issue, citing California public health data showing 406 documented cases of the incurable lung disease since 2019, resulting in 22 deaths and 47 lung transplants.
The presentation linked the crisis to unlicensed or non-compliant shops engaging in "dry fabrication," where cutting and grinding stone without water creates clouds of invisible respirable crystalline silica particles that cause permanent lung damage.
This health crisis has triggered significant legal and financial consequences. The speakers -- Mark Meriaux, NSI accreditation and technical manager, and Jeff “Corky” Courtright, a semi-retired industry veteran and safety expert -- noted there are over 300 active lawsuits in California related to silicosis with projections expecting that number to exceed 1,000 nationwide. They also highlighted the steep penalties for non-compliance, referencing a case where a Chicago-area shop was fined over $1 million by OSHA for repeat safety violations.
In response, California has enacted some of the nation's strictest rules. A Cal/OSHA emergency standard adopted in late 2024 mandates the use of Powered Air-Purifying Respirators (PAPRs), requires air monitoring by a certified industrial hygienist every six months and implements a medical surveillance program for workers.
Further legislative action was taken with the passage of Senate Bill 20 in September 2025. While the initial proposal aimed to create a robust certification system for fabricators funded by a material fee, the final version was amended. The passed law primarily codifies the existing Cal/OSHA regulations into state law, making violations potentially subject to criminal enforcement.
The speakers contrasted images of dangerous dust-filled workshops with examples of compliant facilities of all sizes. They stressed that achieving a safe environment through all-wet fabrication methods, proper drainage and consistent housekeeping is the industry standard.
To aid in this effort, the NSI has partnered with the Yale School of Medicine to research air sampling data and identify best practices. The organization also offers a comprehensive online safety certificate program, available in English and Spanish, covering both silica and slab handling safety.
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Jason Kamery is the Managing Editor and Group Digital Editor of Stone World. With more than a decade of experience covering the stone and countertop industry, he has conducted hundreds of interviews with fabricators, manufacturers, and industry leaders, and hosts the Stone World. podcast. He reports from events worldwide, including TISE, Coverings, and Marmomac, and his coverage extends to worker safety and silicosis, trade policy and tariffs, and fabrication technology. Kamery has also served as a speaker and panel moderator at The International Surface Event (TISE). He graduated from Purdue University with a B.A. in Mass Communication.
email: kameryj@bnpmedia.com | office: (248) 833-7356
