Federal Officials Fine 2 Companies for Silica Dust Released in Stone Cutting

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Federal safety officials have proposed fines for two manufacturing facilities in which workers were allegedly exposed to silica dust during stone-cutting operations.

On Jan. 26, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration said it has proposed a $48,600 fine for KOL Marble and Granite in New Jersey for alleged violations discovered during inspections in October.

OSHA said it inspected the facility in response to a complaint from a worker, and found 14 serious violations and one failure to properly maintain logs.

KOL Marble fabricates stone products from granite, cambria, Zodiaq, Ceasarstone and silestone, OSHA said.

OSHA announced …