OSHA cites Georgia stone firms for silica, safety violations

OSHA News Releases

Filed March 26th, 2026

Detected March 27th, 2026

Summary

OSHA has cited two Georgia stone product manufacturers, Stone Atlanta Countertops Inc. and GT Stone Granite LLC, for failing to address previous safety violations related to silica exposure. The agency proposed a total of $116,306 in penalties for repeat and serious violations concerning worker exposure to respirable crystalline silica and noise.

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What changed

OSHA has issued citations and proposed penalties totaling $116,306 to Stone Atlanta Countertops Inc. and GT Stone Granite LLC following a follow-up inspection that revealed the companies failed to correct previously identified safety violations. Stone Atlanta Countertops Inc. faces $42,699 for two repeat, seven serious, and three other-than-serious violations, including failures in respiratory protection, silica exposure control, and hazard communication programs. GT Stone Granite LLC was cited for eight repeat, four serious, and two other-than-serious violations, also related to silica and noise exposure, and deficiencies in exposure control and hazard communication plans.

These employers must respond within 15 business days to comply, request an informal conference, or contest the findings. The citations highlight the critical need for employers in the stone products industry to implement and maintain written programs for respiratory protection, silica exposure control, and hazard communication to prevent serious health consequences for workers, such as lung cancer and respiratory diseases associated with silica exposure. Failure to comply can result in significant penalties and further enforcement actions.

What to do next

Review and implement written respiratory protection programs.
Develop and implement written exposure control plans for silica.
Establish and maintain written hazard communication programs for 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)

Notice: Information in some news releases may not reflect the current or final status of a case, including, but not limited to, the penalty amount(s) or classification(s).

OSHA News Release - Atlanta Region

U.S. Department of Labor
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.

March 26, 2026

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.