Granite & Marble Specialties Inc.: Washington L&I silica citations

Findings on silica dust

• The employer made no evaluation of respirable crystalline silica exposure among workers. Samples taken by the inspector from three workers showed 27-47 µg/m3. That's under the 50 µg/m3 limit, yet it's over the 25 µg/m3 action level. The violation was cited as a repeat.
• The written plan for controlling silica exposure did not get a review and update at least once a year. The citation listed this as a repeat violation.
• Since the prior inspection, silica training hadn't been given to at least five stone fabricators. The citation listed this one as a repeat violation.
• No assessments of job hazards were carried out for shop tasks that put workers in contact with silica dust, noise and other hazards. Until levels drop below the action level, extra silica monitoring must happen every 6 months.

More hazards from the same citation

• Emergency eyewash wasn't provided, eye protection wasn't always worn, and workers who used strong irritant chemicals like acetone and adhesives got no hazard communication training. The citation listed these as serious violations.
• Records of injuries on OSHA 300 forms weren't kept, and no medical evaluation was given to workers wearing half-mask respirators. The citation listed these as repeat violations.
• No noise exposure monitoring took place, and no safety committee was set up. The citation listed these as general violations.

The employer's time to answer the citation: After being cited, the employer had to post it, correct the violations by 5/1/2022, send written verification back, and pay within 15 working days. To appeal, the employer had 15 working days.

For anyone who worked at Granite & Marble Specialties

Most new US silicosis cases today come from shops cutting quartz and other engineered stone. Handling slabs at Granite & Marble Specialties in Kent, whether by cutting, grinding or polishing, may entitle you to two claims: workers' comp from the employer's insurance, plus a lawsuit against the stone's manufacturers.

More than once, Washington L&I cited Granite & Marble Specialties over silica: July 2020 in Kent, then March 2022 in Kent.