CLEVELAND, OH - Aqua Mix, Inc. and the Marble Institute of America (MIA) have teamed up to offer the natural stone industry the first comprehensive shop and consumer safety video programs in Spanish. Introduced at StonExpo - held in Las Vegas from October 19 to 22, 2005 - the two-part training CD is a Spanish version of the “Basics of Stone Shop Safety” video that was released by MIA late in 2004.

The first segment is a comprehensive overview of fabrication shop safety - from slab handling to working with hazardous materials. The second segment focuses on protecting consumers who visit stone shops and showrooms. The latter was triggered by the tragic death of a six-year-old Florida boy and injuries his parents sustained when wooden A-frames loaded with stone collapsed while they were in the display area.

E. Rick Baldini, president of Aqua Mix, Inc., a major supplier to the natural stone industry, said the company funded the Spanish versions for three reasons.

“We clearly recognize the growing importance of the Hispanic community in the stone fabrication industry,” he said. “We recognize and support the great work that MIA is doing to help the stone industry. Aqua Mix's mission statement includes the role of being a responsible corporate citizen and the Spanish-language safety video is a perfect fit.”

“The issue of safety in the workplace is paramount, and it is fitting that the topic of safety was chosen to be the MIA's first Spanish-language video,” said Scott C. Lardner, Rocky Mountain Stone Co. and MIA's 2005 President. “Many stone shops, including mine in Albuquerque, will benefit from the commitment Aqua Mix has made to the industry in sponsoring this safety project.”