Occupational safety: fabrication activities on stone slab products.

Senator Menjivar's occupational safety legislation establishes comprehensive regulations for stone slab fabrication activities in California, responding to rising cases of silicosis among workers exposed to crystalline silica dust. The measure creates a new certification system for fabrication shops and mandates specific safety protocols to protect workers who cut, grind, and polish stone products used in countertops and similar applications.

The bill prohibits dry cutting methods and requires fabrication shops to use water-based techniques that suppress hazardous dust particles. By July 2026, the Department of Industrial Relations must develop a mandatory training curriculum covering safety standards and hands-on instruction. Starting July 2027, fabrication shop owners, operators, and workers must complete this training before conducting fabrication activities, with costs borne by shop owners.

A new certification process requires fabrication shops to demonstrate compliance with workplace safety conditions, maintain proper insurance coverage, and ensure all workers complete required training. The three-year certifications involve initial and renewal inspections, with fees deposited into a dedicated account for program administration. The department can suspend or revoke certifications for safety violations. The measure also restricts suppliers from providing stone products to uncertified shops and requires verification of valid certifications throughout the supply chain. While violations can result in administrative penalties and stop-work orders, they do not constitute criminal offenses.