Silica Safety Resources
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (“OSHA”) has identified exposure to respirable crystalline silica as a health hazard to workers involved in fabricating, finishing, and installing stone products. This hazard can be mitigated with simple and effective dust controls including wet cutting, dust collection methods,and use of appropriate respiratory protection. We encourage you to review the below resources created by OSHA and the Natural Stone Institute for additional information on reducing silica exposure in countertop fabrication.
Additional Resources
- State of California Department of Industrial Relations Work Safe with Silica Website
- California Respirable Crystalline Silica Standards and Resources
- California Silica Emergency Temporary Standard – What Employers Need to Know
- California Silica Emergency Temporary Standard: Information for Employers
- California Silica Emergency Temporary Standard: Information for Workers
- California Model Written Silica Exposure Control Plan for General Industry
- Respirable Crystalline Silica Focused Inspection Initiative in the Engineered Stone Fabrication and Installation Industries
- LA County Department of Public Health Silica Awareness Page
- Natural Stone Institute Silica Page
- OSHA Worker Exposure To Silica During Countertop Manufacturing And Installation
- OSHA’s Respirable Crystalline Silica Standard For The General Industry
- Understanding Respirable Crystalline Silica Video
- OSHA’s Respirable Crystalline Standard for Construction
- OSHA Small Entity Compliance Guide for the Respirable Crystalline Silica Standard for General Industry and Maritime
- OSHA Small Entity Compliance Guide for the Respirable Crystalline Silica Standard for Construction
WARNING: Stone products can expose you to chemicals including crystalline silica which is known to the State of California to cause cancer. For more information go to www.P65warnings.ca.gov
DANGER: SILICA DUST HARMFUL IF INHALED. Exposure to silica dust from cutting, grinding, or polishing product can cause acute lung injury, silicosis, or cancer. Wear a respirator when cutting, grinding, or polishing. Use wet cutting methods and do not dry cut. Wash contaminated clothing before reuse and do not take work clothes home. Children should not be present during cutting, grinding, or polishing. For more information, see the SDS at www.stonevilleusa.com/material-sds and www.stonevilleusa.com/silica-safety-resources.