Countertop & Engineered Stone Fabrication
Engineered stone (often sold as “quartz”) can contain more than 90% crystalline silica. Workers who cut, grind and polish it have developed severe, fast-moving silicosis, some needing lung transplants in their 30s and 40s.
- Fabrication
- Construction
- California
This is a serious, growing health crisis. If you work in stone fabrication and have a cough or shortness of breath, see a doctor and tell them about your silica exposure.
Where exposure happens
- Dry cutting, grinding, edging and polishing slabs
- Sweeping or blowing off dust
- On-site cutouts and adjustments during installation
- Working next to someone else who’s cutting
Key practices
- Use wet methods for every cut, grind and polish, with water delivered at the point of operation; use CNC and waterjet equipment where possible.
- Wear the respirator your employer’s silica program requires (often a PAPR or full-face respirator), fit-tested.
- Clean with water or HEPA vacuums. Never dry sweep or use compressed air.
- Manage slurry so it doesn’t dry into dust.
- Get medical surveillance exams, including chest X-rays and lung function tests.
Some states, including California, have adopted special rules for engineered stone fabrication. OSHA has a national emphasis program on silica in this industry.
Silica content by material
| Material | Typical crystalline silica content |
|---|---|
| Engineered stone (“quartz”) | Often more than 90% |
| Granite | Often 10% to 45% |
| Marble | Usually low (often under 5%) |
| Porcelain slabs and sintered stone | Varies; can be significant |
These are rough ranges. Check the SDS for each product. Even “low silica” products can produce dangerous dust when cut dry.
Signs of silicosis
- Shortness of breath, especially with activity
- A persistent cough
- Fatigue, weight loss and chest tightness
Silicosis can progress even after exposure stops, and there’s no cure. Early medical screening matters. Tell your doctor you’ve worked with engineered stone. See Silica.
Shop checklist
- Water flowing to the blade or bit for every cut, grind and polish
- Respirator fitted and filters or PAPR battery ready
- Floors cleaned wet or with HEPA vacuums; no dry sweeping or compressed air
- Slurry collected before it dries
- Work clothes changed before going home
- Medical surveillance exam up to date
Slab handling
Slabs can weigh hundreds of pounds and crush workers when they fall from racks, A-frames or carts. Secure slabs on racks with restraints, use vacuum lifters and clamps rated for the slab, and never stand between a slab and a rack while it’s being moved.
Standards & references
- OSHA/NIOSH Hazard Alert: Silica in countertop fabrication and installation
- 29 CFR 1910.1053: Respirable crystalline silica
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