Georgia Stone Manufacturers Face Fines for Silica Exposure
OSHA cites two Cartersville companies for repeated safety failures and exposing workers to hazardous dust and noise levels.
- By Jesse Jacobs
- Mar 26, 2026
Federal safety investigators have cited two stone product manufacturers for failing to protect employees from dangerous levels of silica dust and noise.
The U.S. Department of Labor’s OSHA conducted follow-up inspections at Stone Atlanta Countertops Inc. and GT Stone Granite LLC. Investigators found that both companies failed to address safety hazards identified during previous inspections.
Stone Atlanta Countertops Inc. faces $42,699 in proposed penalties. OSHA cited the facility for two repeat, seven serious and three other-than-serious violations. The citations involve the lack of a written respiratory protection program, no exposure control plan for silica and a failure to maintain a hazard communication program for dangerous materials.
A separate inspection of GT Stone Granite LLC resulted in $73,607 in proposed penalties. The company was cited for eight repeat, four serious and two other-than-serious violations. OSHA inspectors found workers were overexposed to noise and respirable crystalline silica. The employer also failed to implement a written exposure-control plan or a hazard communication program.
Respirable crystalline silica is a microscopic dust created during the cutting, grinding or crushing of stone. Without proper protection, the dust can lead to lung cancer and chronic respiratory diseases.
The companies have 15 business days to comply with the citations, request an informal conference with OSHA’s area director or contest the findings before the Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission.
About the Author
Jesse Jacobs is assistant editor of OHSOnline.com.