LA County Board

24. Silicosis Prevention Education\nRecommendation as submitted by Supervisor Horvath: Authorize the Director of\nPublic Health to execute agreements , or to amend agreements , including sole\nsource agreements for silicosis education, prevention, and outreach and related\nactivities, increase funds to existing agreements to extend the term through\nDecember 31, 2024 of existing agreements, allow for a 12-month no cost\nextension to December 31, 2025 of existing agreements , and execute further\namendments as required as long as funding is available; approve an\nappropriation adjustment that increases services and supplies by $500,000 in\nthe Department of Public Health’s (DPH) operating budget, fully offset by the\ncancellation of $500,000 in the Obligated Fund Balance Committed for Health\nServices - Tobacco Settlement to provide silicosis outreach and education in\nthe San Fernando Valley and throughout the County; continue collaboration with\nthe California Department of Public Health and the California Division of\nOccupational Safety and Health (Cal/OSHA) by participating in the emergency\ntemporary standards process to improve workplace safety standards on silica\nand enhance business outreach , and continue engaging stone fabrication\nbusinesses on the Cal/OSHA list and fabrication shops identified through\noutreach and share knowledge with Cal/OSHA; and take the following actions:\nInstruct the Director of Mental Health , in collaboration with the Directors\nof Public Health and Health Services , and others, as needed to develop\nand/or use existing resources and support materials in English and\nSpanish, to be made available for individuals diagnosed with silicosis and\ntheir families, including exploring opportunities to use the Mental Health\nOutpatient Clinic located on the Olive View campus to provide mental\nhealth support;\nInstruct the Director of Economic Opportunity, through its Office of Small\nBusiness, to convene representatives from the DPH, Pacoima Beautiful,\nthe Western States Regional Council of Carpenters, the Los\nAngeles/Orange Counties Building and Construction Trades Council,\nrelevant LA County America’s Job Centers of California, Industry trade\ngroups, and other relevant stakeholders , to discuss and coordinate\nadditional outreach strategies to stone fabrication businesses and\nprovide small business resources, as well as learn about what barriers\nexist that are preventing compliance with required safety protocols and\nuse of personal protective equipment;\nDirect the Chief Executive Officer, through the Legislative Affairs and\nIntergovernmental Relations Branch, in collaboration with County\nCounsel, the Directors of Public Health and Health Services , to continue\nto advocate in support of proposals at the State and Federal levels that\nstrengthen regulatory standards and enhance resources for the\nenforcement of regulations on silica dust to ensure better compliance, as\nwell as provide options for improving education (for employers, workers,\nand consumers), and better enforcement of regulations;\nInstruct the Director of Public Health , in collaboration with the Chief\nExecutive Officer, through the Legislative Affairs and Intergovernmental\nRelations Branch, County Counsel, the Directors of Mental Health and\nHealth Services, and other County Department Heads , as needed, to\ncontinue engaging stakeholders, and report back to the Board in writing\nin 60 days, and quarterly thereafter, on progress and updates on the\ndirectives listed above and any other recommendations that may arise as\nit relates to the prevention and intervention of silicosis . (23-4519)