By JOSE HERRERA | City News Service
Three Los Angeles City Council members on Wednesday, April 3, introduced a legislative package aimed at addressing the rise of a certain lung disease impacting countertop workers.
Council members Imelda Padilla, Bob Blumenfield and Monica Rodriguez co-introduced a set of motions Wednesday targeting silicosis, an incurable lung disease caused by inhaling large amounts of crystalline silica dust from the cutting, grinding and molding of engineered stone (quartz) countertops.
“The alarming rise of severe silicosis-related illness and deaths among stone countertop workers in the San Fernando Valley prompted me to act quickly,” Padilla said in a statement.
She added, “For the last few months, I have brought together community-based organizations, trade unions and the impacted workers — most of whom are young Latino immigrant men — to come up with a commonsense solution that saves lives and protects livelihoods.”
As part of the legislative package, the council members introduced two motions intended to combat silicosis by implementing stricter regulations and enhancing outreach to these workers. Council members also introduced a resolution that would serve to express the city’s support of AB 3043.
In March, Assemblywoman Luz Rivas, whose office is in the Arleta neighborhood of Los Angeles, introduced the bill with the aim to protect artificial stone fabrication workers across the state from silicosis.
Additionally, her bill seeks to prohibit dry methods in stone fabrication activities, develop training programs, establish licensing processes for fabrication shops and ensure higher wages for those workers.
“Silicosis disproportionately affects low-income, immigrant workers in industries such as construction and manufacturing,” Rodriguez said in a statement. “By implementing robust regulations, increasing awareness of the dangers of silicosis, and supporting statewide legislation, we can mitigate the…
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