Any assertion challenging the effectiveness of OSHA regulations aimed at ensuring worker safety, such as the prohibition of dry cutting, obligatory wet cutting procedures, and the utilization of air monitoring and respiratory protection when warranted by air quality assessments, is not only factually incorrect but also distorts the actual reality. Such claims erode the credibility of OSHA’s long-established safety standards and counter the official conclusions reached by regulatory authorities
Safety is paramount in our industry, and the Silica Safety Coalition recognizes that, much like the broader construction sector, ensuring worker safety is imperative. We firmly believe that employers bear a significant responsibility in safeguarding the health and security of their workforce. It is our unwavering belief that all essential safety protocols and measures must be diligently enforced.
To mitigate these risks, the Natural Stone Institute offers a valuable resource in a sample training program tailored specifically for new employees. This program is accessible and available FOR FREE on the Natural Stone Institute Safety website. This syllabus provides an invaluable blueprint for companies within the industry to develop customized training initiatives, which can play a crucial role in reducing accidents and injuries among new hires
We are dedicated to meeting and exceeding safety standards, ensuring that stone fabrication and cutting remain a thriving industry that prioritizes the health and well-being of its workforce. The Silica Safety Coalition stands as a steadfast advocate for safety, working tirelessly to protect the lives and livelihoods of those who contribute to the enduring beauty of stone craftsmanship.
Federal OSHA has introduced a proactive initiative to protect stone fabrication and installation workers from silica exposure. Known as the Respirable Crystalline Silica Focused Inspection Initiative, this effort will concentrate on stringent enforcement measures and offer valuable compliance assistance to industry stakeholders.
OSHA unveiled a crucial enforcement and compliance initiative on silica exposure in the engineered stone fabrication and installation industries. You can find detailed information about this initiative on OSHA’s official website: OSHA’s Silica Enforcement Initiative.
This is not the first time OSHA has addressed this issue in the countertop fabrication industry; they issued a hazard alert in 2015. You can read more about it here: OSHA 2015 Hazard Alert. Additionally, OSHA published a Hazard Alert titled “Worker Exposure to Silica during Countertop Manufacturing, Finishing, and Installation,” which you can access here.
Please download our Silica Exposure Control Plan template, crafted for the stone industry and designed to help manage diverse silica exposure scenarios in alignment with OSHA’s regulatory guidelines.