Self-Reported Silica Exposures and Workplace Protections Among Engineered Stone Fabrication Workers in California

Details

• Personal Author:
  Cummings, Kristin J. ; Flattery J ; Harrison, Robert ; Heinzerling A ; Spiegel A
• Description:
  Tustin et al. described cases of silicosis among workers at a US workplace that manufactures and fabricates engineered stone (also known as artificial stone or quartz conglomerate) countertops. These cases were identified through Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) mandated medical surveillance, after an investigation found that workers at this plant were exposed to respirable crystalline silica above the OSHA permissible exposure limit (PEL). We have previously reported high prevalence of silicosis among workers in this industry, and our prior analysis of inspection data from a California Division of Occupational Safety and Health (Cal/OSHA) silica Special Emphasis Program (SEP) found widespread silica overexposure and Cal/OSHA regulation violations at California stone fabrication workplaces. As part of the SEP, Cal/OSHA also conducted worker interviews, the results of which have not previously been reported. Prompted by Tustin et al.'s findings and our prior work, we analyzed data from these interviews to evaluate worker?reported silica exposures and workplace protections, including utilization of medical surveil-lance, in engineered stone fabrication workplaces in California. From November 2019 through March 2020, Cal/OSHA initiated inspections at 106 stone fabrication facilities. During these workplace visits, inspectors administered a questionnaire, developed in collaboration with the California Department of Public Health and available in English and Spanish, that assessed worker tasks, perceived exposures to silica dust, workplace protections, and utilization of mandated medical surveillance, to a convenience sample of workers. Questionnaires were shared with the study team, who abstracted and analyzed data; analyses were conducted using Microsoft Excel(version 2018; Redmond, WA). [Description provided by NIOSH]
• Subjects:
  Environmental Monitoring Occupational Health Respiratory Protective Devices Safety Silicon Dioxide
• Keywords:
  Air Sampling Crystalline Silica Respiratory Protection Respiratory Protective Equipment Silicosis Stone Processing Surveillance
• ISSN:
  0271-3586
• Document Type:
  Text
• Funding:
  Cooperative Agreement ; Grant
• Genre:
  Journal Article
• Place as Subject:
  California ; OSHA Region 3 ; OSHA Region 9 ; Pennsylvania
• CIO:
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)
• Topic:
  Workplace Safety & Health
• Location:
  North America
• Volume:
  65
• Issue:
  12
• NIOSHTIC Number:
  nn:20066165
• Citation:
  Am J Ind Med 2022 Dec; 65(12):1022-1024
• Contact Point Address:
  Amy Heinzerling, MD, MPH, California Department of Public Health, Occupational Health Branch, 850 Marina Bay Pkwy, Bldg P-3, Richmond, CA 94804
• Email:
  Amy.Heinzerling@cdph.ca.gov
• CAS Registry Number:
  Quartz (SiO2) (CAS RN 14808-60-7)
• Federal Fiscal Year:
  2023
• Performing Organization:
  Public Health Institute
• Peer Reviewed:
  False
• Start Date:
  20050701
• Source Full Name:
  American Journal of Industrial Medicine
• End Date:
  20260630
• Collection(s):
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
• Main Document Checksum:
  urn:sha-512:00e93154bc300855bb8614911a19c2aa5e7639f186cf985aff8e4ac3b19027841b8b4cc83f5657fd292de761e80e10f10f02465e8799d78e98e758765ec51c7b
• Download URL:
  https://stacks.cdc.gov/view/cdc/212670/cdc_212670_DS1.pdf
• File Type:
  [PDF - 271.54 KB ]