Sun Valley, California – California’s Division of Occupational Safety and Health (Cal/OSHA) has cited nine employers in Sun Valley for silica health and safety violations. This marks a significant enforcement action amid rising silicosis cases among stone workers in the state.
The citations, totaling over $168,000 in fines, are part of ongoing efforts to address workplace safety concerns associated with respirable crystalline silica dust.
The Van Nuys District Office conducted inspections, revealing that all nine employers failed to comply with multiple Title 8 Safety and Health Regulations.
The violations included inadequate dust suppression methods and the failure to provide full-face, tight-fitting powered air-purifying respirators to employees, both crucial for preventing the inhalation of hazardous silica particles.
Miguel Clavel, Gasper Marble, Tile, Jose Sandoval Marble, and Granite were cited. Each was fined approximately $18,785 for regulatory, general, and serious violations.
These citations underscore Cal/OSHA’s commitment to enforcing workplace safety laws and protecting workers from the severe health risks of silica exposure, including silicosis, lung cancer, and kidney disease.
Cal/OSHA’s recent initiatives, including a bilingual public awareness campaign, aim to educate employers and workers on proper safety practices. As cases of silicosis continue to rise, the agency has intensified its enforcement efforts, emphasizing the importance of compliance to safeguard workers’ health across California.
