More than ever, we are hearing about the concerns regarding silica dust in the shop, and how OSHA is working relentlessly to enforce standards to regulate the amount produced during the fabrication process. As with everything, there are two sides to each story. While OSHA believes it is doing all of this for the safety and overall wellness of fabricators, many in the stone industry feel the new standards they want to put in place are too stringent.
In this issue of Stone World, you will find an in-depth article on this subject — beginning on 58. The article starts out by defining silicosis — an irreversible, but preventable disease, which has long been associated with work in industry occupations using quartz-containing materials, such as fabrication shops.