Design Highlights
- The STOP Act mandates stone fabrication shops to stop using dry cutting methods, enforcing wet methods to reduce silica dust exposure.
- Shops must obtain a three-year certification by January 1, 2027, to remain operational under new safety standards.
- Noncompliance with the STOP Act can result in stop-work orders from Cal/OSHA, threatening business viability.
- Mandatory employee training on silicosis prevention and wet methods begins July 1, 2026, with penalties for noncompliance.
- Health risks associated with silicosis include serious lung damage, emphasizing the urgency for compliance to protect workers.
In a bold move, California is stepping up to tackle a serious health crisis with the newly signed STOP Act for stone fabrication shops. Signed into law on October 13, 2025, by Governor Gavin Newsom, this legislation is a direct response to the alarming rise in silicosis cases among workers in the industry. With 271 cases reported in Los Angeles County alone, the state is finally putting its foot down. This is the first law in the U.S. designed specifically to protect stone fabrication workers from the dangers of silica dust.
Effective January 1, 2026, the STOP Act prohibits dry cutting methods. That’s right—no more lazy shortcuts. If you’re still using dry methods to cut, grind, or polish stone slabs, you’re out of luck. It’s wet methods only from here on out. Reports from CDPH indicate a 92% increase in silicosis cases during the latter half of 2023, highlighting the urgency of this legislation.
Effective January 1, 2026, dry cutting methods are banned—it’s wet methods only from here on out. No shortcuts allowed!
And if you think you can just ignore the law, think again. Violations will lead to immediate stop-work orders from Cal/OSHA. Over 1,000 shops statewide are going to feel the heat.
Employers will need to step up their game, too. Starting July 1, 2026, they must train their employees on high-exposure tasks. This isn’t just a nice-to-have; it’s mandatory. Training will cover everything from silicosis prevention to wet methods and respirable crystalline silica. Training requirements will be specified in Section 5204 of Title 8 of California Code of Regulations.
Annual electronic attestations to Cal/OSHA will keep everyone honest. No training? No business.
Then there’s the certification process. Shops must comply with safety standards to receive a three-year certification, which is mandatory after January 1, 2027. The Department of Industrial Relations is going to keep a close eye on noncompliance.
If you thought you could slip through the cracks, think again. Violators risk losing their business altogether.
The health risks are real. Silicosis isn’t just a fancy medical term; it involves serious lung damage, breathing difficulties, and even cancer. The artificial stone slabs that are so popular today only increase exposure during cutting and grinding. Workers diagnosed with occupational diseases like silicosis may be entitled to workers’ compensation benefits, including medical care and wage replacement, under California’s no-fault insurance program.
Over 1,000 workers across the state are at risk, with many concentrated in the San Fernando Valley.
