Federal workplace safety regulators have fined a Marietta stone product manufacturer $120,000 for exposing workers to silica dust and excessive noise, following a follow-up inspection that revealed the company failed to address previously identified hazards.
The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) cited Art Stone-Granite & Marble Inc. with two repeat violations and 13 serious violations after inspectors found the company had not implemented required hearing conservation and respiratory protection programs.
The citations came five months after an initial April 2024 safety and health inspection that first identified the workplace hazards, according to OSHA officials.
“The company will pay $120,000 in penalties, take action to correct the hazardous conditions, and put steps in place to prevent recurrence,” said OSHA in its enforcement announcement.
Respirable crystalline silica, a common hazard in stone manufacturing, can cause silicosis, lung cancer and other serious respiratory conditions when workers inhale the fine particles without proper protection.
OSHA maintains a National Emphasis Program for Respirable Crystalline Silica aimed at reducing worker exposures to silica across various industries.
The agency noted that employers can contact OSHA for free compliance assistance and resources to help them meet workplace safety standards.
