Stone Column: Maintaining a safe work environment
In this issue of Stone World, we cover safety in the shop — a topic I believe can never be talked about too much. As you all know, the stone industry can be a hazardous business if the proper procedures and policies aren’t put in place to ensure everyone’s safety. Furthermore, OSHA is cracking down on silicosis with a new ruling, which cuts the amount of microns in half that are allowed in a stone fabrication facility. While some may feel this is too strict and unreasonable, others believe it should not be a problem for those who have been practicing shop safety all along. Jonathan Mitnick of CCS Stone, Inc. in Moonachie, NJ — a member of the MIA+BSI safety committee and one of the fabricators who participated in the forum on shop safety beginning on page 36 of this issue — brought up a good analogy. “I think it is a good thing for the industry because people who aren’t observing safe practices will have to adhere to it,” he said. “If you always drive with your seat belt, then the law didn’t affect you. It’s a level playing field for companies who run a tight ship and play by the rules. You are required to know the law.”
Overall, participants in our shop safety forum, who operate various-sized shops in diverse regions of the U.S. — share similar sentiment on many of the points brought up. They all believe there is no excuse for not enforcing safety policies with your employees. They explained how MIA+BSI offers a host of literature to get started and templates to follow.
Volunteering for OSHA onsite inspections with a consultant was also discussed. The fabricators generally agreed this is not something to be leery of but rather should be viewed as a free service that can only result in a positive outcome.
As those who own businesses know, it takes time to implement policies and often effort to get your staff on board. Following safety standards and setting in-house procedures might seem like a daunting task, but you don’t have to do it alone. Those involved in the industry are aware the majority of members are willing to share ideas and offer advice. They want to work to benefit the natural stone industry as a whole. In addition to material on shop safety offered by the MIA+BSI, there are other associations such as the Stone Fabricator’s Alliance (SFA), the Artisan Group and the Rockheads, who work together and offer advice to their peers.
Attending learning sessions at trade shows, as well as other stone events such as the stone industry educations workshops which Stone World sponsors with the MIA+BSI, are other ways to become informed and discuss current issues with other fabricators. And of course, the Stone World staff always tries to bring the latest issues to light in our monthly edition. We are happy to be looked at as a source for leading information that can assist you in your business.
In this issue of Stone World, we cover safety in the shop — a topic I believe can never be talked about too much. As you all know, the stone industry can be a hazardous business if the proper procedures and policies aren’t put in place to ensure everyone’s safety. Furthermore, OSHA is cracking down on silicosis with a new ruling, which cuts the amount of microns in half that are allowed in a stone fabrication facility. While some may feel this is too strict and unreasonable, others believe it should not be a problem for those who have been practicing shop safety all along. Jonathan Mitnick of CCS Stone, Inc. in Moonachie, NJ — a member of the MIA+BSI safety committee and one of the fabricators who participated in the forum on shop safety beginning on page 36 of this issue — brought up a good analogy. “I think it is a good thing for the industry because people who aren’t observing safe practices will have to adhere to it,” he said. “If you always drive with your seat belt, then the law didn’t affect you. It’s a level playing field for companies who run a tight ship and play by the rules. You are required to know the law.”
Overall, participants in our shop safety forum, who operate various-sized shops in diverse regions of the U.S. — share similar sentiment on many of the points brought up. They all believe there is no excuse for not enforcing safety policies with your employees. They explained how MIA+BSI offers a host of literature to get started and templates to follow.
Volunteering for OSHA onsite inspections with a consultant was also discussed. The fabricators generally agreed this is not something to be leery of but rather should be viewed as a free service that can only result in a positive outcome.
As those who own businesses know, it takes time to implement policies and often effort to get your staff on board. Following safety standards and setting in-house procedures might seem like a daunting task, but you don’t have to do it alone. Those involved in the industry are aware the majority of members are willing to share ideas and offer advice. They want to work to benefit the natural stone industry as a whole. In addition to material on shop safety offered by the MIA+BSI, there are other associations such as the Stone Fabricator’s Alliance (SFA), the Artisan Group and the Rockheads, who work together and offer advice to their peers.
Attending learning sessions at trade shows, as well as other stone events such as the stone industry educations workshops which Stone World sponsors with the MIA+BSI, are other ways to become informed and discuss current issues with other fabricators. And of course, the Stone World staff always tries to bring the latest issues to light in our monthly edition. We are happy to be looked at as a source for leading information that can assist you in your business.
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