ISFA CEO Laurie Weber presents fabrication industry-supported enforcement plan to Cal/OSHA standards board- News --GOGOstone.com

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ISFA CEO Laurie Weber presents fabrication industry-supported enforcement plan to Cal/OSHA standards board

( Date: 2026/1/21 9:51:02 )

Laurie Weber, CEO of the International Surface Fabricators Association (ISFA), presented an industry-supported plan to the California Occupational Safety and Health Standards (Cal/OSHA) Board outlining how the countertop and surface fabrication industry can support government enforcement while reducing silica exposure where it occurs: on the shop floor.

The presentation focused on ISFA’s 2026–2028 Strategic Plan, which includes the rollout of a fabrication shop licensing and certification program supported by industry stakeholders. The program is designed to strengthen compliance with existing rules, expand training and third-party auditing, and establish a controlled, verifiable system for material access tied to safety performance. The plan also includes a formal registry of approved shops eligible to purchase materials, shifting enforcement upstream and helping prevent unsafe work before exposure occurs.

While the framework was intentionally developed over three years to ensure credibility, sound governance, and alignment with OSHA- and ANSI-based models, ISFA emphasized its ability to accelerate implementation to support California’s immediate enforcement needs.

Weber noted that the goal is practical support for regulators, not delay or avoidance. The proposed approach is intended to complement existing inspection and citation authority by providing clearer standards, better documentation, and additional tools to help enforcement resources go further.

During the public comment period, a range of perspectives were shared, including calls for product bans driven by cases of employer negligence. Weber acknowledged the seriousness of those concerns and emphasized that sustainable progress requires moving beyond blame toward shared responsibility and workable solutions that protect workers and communities.

Weber also addressed the increasingly legalistic and adversarial framing surrounding the issue. She emphasized ISFA’s commitment to following established processes, maintaining transparency, and engaging respectfully with regulators, the medical community, and other stakeholders. ISFA’s work, she noted, is guided by responsibility to workers and the industry, not by external approval or public narratives.

Addressing comments related to the workforce, Weber emphasized the importance of accurate and respectful characterization of skilled trades. She noted that many fabrication shop owners and leaders began as workers themselves and now manage through hands-on experience, accountability, and a focus on employee safety. Long-term solutions, she said, depend on recognizing that expertise and ensuring those directly involved in fabrication are part of the process.

At the conclusion of the presentation, the Board requested to hear directly from fabrication workers—those performing the work daily and implementing safety practices in real-world conditions. ISFA expressed its support for that engagement.

ISFA reiterated that its approach is based on collaboration and co-regulation: the industry defining clear, enforceable standards and the government retaining oversight and enforcement authority. This model is used across multiple regulated industries and is intended to strengthen, rather than replace, public enforcement.

From: tileletter

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