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Our mission is to address occupational and environmental health issues through advanced research, teaching, training opportunities and service to the Southern California community, achieving this through collaboration with sister centers and local to international affiliates.

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Upcoming Events

Occupational Safety and Health Standards Board

10:00am – 12:00pm
May 21
The California Occupational Safety and Health Standards Board will meet next Thursday, May 21, in Downtown Los Angeles to discuss and vote on a petition submitted by the Western Occupational and Environmental Medical Association (WOEMA).
In California, across the United States, and internationally, a growing epidemic of silicosis - an occupational lung disease - is being observed as a result of exposure to respirable crystalline silica from engineered stone. According to the California Department of Public Health (CDPH), as of May 7, 2026, 556 confirmed cases of silicosis attributed to engineered stone have been identified in California. Of these cases, 283 have been identified in Los Angeles County and 120 in Orange County. These numbers are anticipated to only represent the tip of the ice berg.
In light of this, WOEMA has petitioned the Standards Board to amend existing regulation (T8 CCR Section 5204 - Occupational Exposures to Respirable Crystalline Silica) to prohibit all fabrication and installation tasks involving engineered stone that contains more than 1% crystalline silica. Refer to recommendations from the 'Preventing Silicosis' report and slides released following the conference hosted by UCLA COEH for more details on the epidemic and what can be done to curb it.
The California Occupational Safety and Health Standards Board will hold its monthly Board Meeting on: May 21, 2026 at 10:00 a.m. Physical Meeting Location: Ronald Reagan State Building Auditorium 300 South Spring Street Los Angeles, CA 90013
Remote Meeting Details: Videoconference at https://tkoworks.zoom.us/j/87501250331 (Webinar ID: 875 0125 0331) or scan the QR code below for access:
Teleconference at (669) 444-9171 and enter Webinar ID: 875 0125 0331 Live video stream and audio stream (English and Spanish) at https://videobookcase.com/california/oshsb/ Access this month's meeting notice and agenda. For additional information on Board activities, please visit the OSHSB website.
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