Stone Atlanta Countertops Inc. and GT Stone Granite LLC

OSHA proposed total penalties of $116,306 ($42,699 for Stone Atlanta Countertops Inc. and $73,607 for GT Stone Granite LLC). The employers have 15 business days from receipt of citations to comply, request an informal conference, or contest the findings before the Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission.

The U.S. Department of Labor cited two Cartersville, Georgia stone product manufacturers for exposing workers to respirable crystalline silica and other safety violations during follow-up inspections. OSHA found that both companies failed to address safety violations identified in previous investigations, with Stone Atlanta Countertops Inc. receiving $42,699 in penalties and GT Stone Granite LLC receiving $73,607 in penalties.

Stone Atlanta Countertops Inc. was cited for two repeat, seven serious, and three other-than-serious violations related to exposures to noise and respirable crystalline silica. The company failed to develop a written respiratory protection program, a written exposure control plan for silica, and a written hazard communication program for hazardous materials.

GT Stone Granite LLC was cited for eight repeat, four serious, and two other-than-serious violations for employees overexposed to noise and respirable crystalline silica. The employer failed to implement a written exposure-control plan and a hazard communication program.