A Skagit County was fined nearly $330,000 for exposing workers to crystalline silica dust from cutting, grinding and polishing stone countertops.
The Washington State Department of Labor & Industries cited and fined A+ Marble & Granite LLC in July after inspectors reportedly found the company had done little to fix safety problems it had been cited for in April 2022.
Crystalline silica is a common mineral found in construction materials like sand, stone, quartz, marble and granite. Small silica dust particles can travel deep into workers’ lungs and cause health problems.
L&I made three site visits in February and March, and inspectors obtained a warrant from Skagit County Superior Court allowing them to enter the business to conduct sampling of silica levels.
The business owner admitted to inspectors that no changes had been made to correct violations found in the 2022 inspection. L&I reportedly photographed workers using the same polishing equipment and process as before, leading to silica overexposure.
L&I found 10 instances of failure to abate existing issues, along with more than a dozen serious and repeat violations. A violation is classified as serious when it is likely to result in the injury or death of a worker.
As a result, inspectors fined the company $329,880. The company has filed an appeal.
Topics Washington Contractors
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