Need to Know

• The International Surface Fabricators Association (ISFA) is addressing tightening silica safety regulations by introducing a shop licensing and certification plan aimed at helping fabrication businesses to align with evolving compliance standards.
• The proposal comes after the Western Occupational and Environmental Medical Association (WOEMA) filed a petition with the California Occupational Safety and Health Standards Board calling for a ban on engineered stone fabrication in the state.
• ISFA's certification program focuses on establishing clear benchmarks for safety practices, training, and operational procedures. It emphasizes best practices for reducing airborne silica, improving workplace conditions, and protecting employees.

Kitchen & Bath Design News reported on the plan March 3rd, describing it as an effort to complement government enforcement rather than replace it.

The first phase, with a deadline of July 31st, would bring together industry representatives, fabricators, regulators and health officials to develop certification requirements, including safety training, for fabrication shops. The program also includes third-party auditing and a formal registry of approved shops eligible to purchase slab materials.

"The goal is practical support for regulators, not delay or avoidance," said Weber in a statement.

The plan drew support from the Agglomerated Stone Manufacturers Association and the Natural Stone Institute (NSI) when it was presented to the board.

"We believe that an industry-led effort is definitely worthy of consideration, and we look forward to collaborating with our friends at ISFA," said Mark Meriaux, NSI accreditation and technical manager.

Kirk Kimmelshue, representing AStA, said the organization supports a program that would ensure only compliant shops are allowed to perform fabrication work in California, with the goal of eventually implementing a nationwide certification system.

WOEMA petition for ban on engineered stone

The presentation came roughly one month after the Western Occupational and Environmental Medical Association filed a petition with the standards board in December calling for a prohibition on all fabrication and installation of engineered stone containing more than 1 percent crystalline silica.

WOEMA, which represents more than 600 occupational medicine physicians across seven western states, cited California Department of Public Health data showing 447 confirmed silicosis cases and 25 deaths at the time of filing. That number rose to 519 cases and 29 deaths as of late February, according to the CDPH surveillance dashboard.

The association also cited Cal/OSHA inspection data showing that 93 of 99 completed fabrication shop inspections revealed air quality violations, with 24 serious enough to require shop or operation shutdowns.

ISFA has expressed what it called "fierce opposition" to the ban petition. "ISFA has deep respect for the medical community," said Weber. "However, ISFA does not support a blanket ban on engineered stone, and believes the conclusions presented in WOEMA's petition do not fully reflect the operational, economic and regulatory realities of the industry."

Weber said ISFA's approach is based on a co-regulation model in which the industry defines enforceable standards while the government retains oversight and enforcement authority.

Dr. Robert Blink, a past president of WOEMA and an occupational medicine specialist in San Francisco, CA, pushed back on the certification approach during the January 15th board meeting. Blink said the organization sought a ban because additional information has shown engineered stone to be more toxic than initially believed and because inspections have shown that even shops with safety controls in place still have exposure levels that are too high.

Blink also questioned the 15-month phase-in timeline for the ISFA proposal, estimating that dozens more workers could develop silicosis during that period.

"Why are we protecting this cosmetic material for which there is a particularly appropriate and excellent substitute?" said Blink, referring to amorphous silica alternatives such as recycled glass products already available in markets like Australia, which banned engineered stone in 2024.

Broader ISFA strategy

The Cal/OSHA presentation is part of a larger strategic push by ISFA in 2026. The organization has announced plans to hire three new staff members, including a position focused on regulatory health and safety, and to pursue ANSI developer status for its fabrication shop standard. The association is also planning grassroots outreach visits to 10 U.S. cities in partnership with its OSHA alliance to discuss silica safety and compliance.

ISFA has also launched what it calls the American Countertop Manufacturers Council, an independent entity with ISFA serving as secretary, intended to build industry consensus on policy issues.

At the conclusion of the January 15th presentation, the Cal/OSHA Standards Board requested to hear directly from fabrication workers. ISFA said it supports that engagement.

The board has up to six months from the December filing to issue a decision on the WOEMA petition.