OSHA Cites Georgia Stone Firms for Silica, Noise Violations

DOL News Releases

Filed March 26th, 2026

Detected March 27th, 2026

Summary

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration has cited two Georgia stone product manufacturers, Stone Atlanta Countertops Inc. and GT Stone Granite LLC, for exposing workers to respirable crystalline silica and noise. OSHA proposed a total of $116,306 in penalties for repeat and serious violations, including failures in respiratory protection and exposure control plans.

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What changed

OSHA has issued citations and proposed penalties totaling $116,306 against Stone Atlanta Countertops Inc. and GT Stone Granite LLC following follow-up inspections that revealed continued violations related to respirable crystalline silica and noise exposure. Specifically, Stone Atlanta Countertops Inc. faces $42,699 for two repeat and seven serious violations, while GT Stone Granite LLC faces $73,607 for eight repeat and four serious violations. Both companies were cited for failing to implement written exposure control plans, respiratory protection programs, and hazard communication programs, issues previously identified by OSHA.

These employers have 15 business days to respond to the citations by either complying, requesting an informal conference with OSHA, or contesting the findings before the Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission. The citations highlight the agency's focus on silica hazards through its National Emphasis Program and underscore the critical need for employers in the stone product industry to maintain robust safety programs, including written exposure control and respiratory protection plans, to prevent serious lung diseases and ensure worker safety.

What to do next

Review and update written respiratory protection programs for silica exposure.
Implement or revise written exposure control plans for silica.
Ensure hazard communication programs are up-to-date and cover hazardous materials.

Penalties

Proposed penalties of $42,699 for Stone Atlanta Countertops Inc. and $73,607 for GT Stone Granite LLC, totaling $116,306.

Source document (simplified)

News Release

US Department of Labor cites Georgia stone product manufacturers for exposing workers to respirable crystalline silica, other safety violations

ATLANTA – A U.S. Department of Labor follow-up inspection of two Cartersville stone product manufacturers found that the employers failed to address safety violations related to silica exposure the department had identified in previous investigations.

After a follow-up inspection, the department’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration cited Stone Atlanta Countertops Inc., which owns the facility, for two repeat, seven serious, and three other-than-serious violations related to exposures to noise and respirable crystalline silica, including failure to develop a written respiratory protection program, a written exposure control plan for silica, and a written hazard communication program for hazardous materials.

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

OSHA proposed $42,699 in penalties for Stone Atlanta Countertops Inc. and $73,607 in penalties for GT Stone Granite LLC.

The employers have 15 business days from receipt of its citations and penalties to comply, request an informal conference with OSHA’s area director, or contest the findings before the independent Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission.

For information on silica hazards, read OSHA’s fact sheet on respirable crystalline silica standard for general industry. OSHA’s National Emphasis Program for Respirable Crystalline Silica addresses the agency’s efforts to reduce worker exposures to silica, microscopic dust that without protection can cause lung cancer and respiratory diseases. Employers can contact the agency for free compliance assistance and resources.

Agency Occupational Safety & Health Administration Date March 26, 2026 Release Number 26-209-ATL Media Contact: Erika Ruthman Phone Number 678-237-0630 Email ruthman.erika.b@dol.gov Media Contact: OPA East Media Email OPA-East-Media@dol.gov Share This
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