Georgia Employers Fined for Repeat Silica Exposure for Workers

The federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration has proposed fines for two Georgia employers for failing to address safety violations that had exposed workers to noise and silica dust, which can cause severe respiratory illness.

After a follow-up inspection, OSHA officials found that Stone Atlanta Countertops, in Cartersville, had repeat and serious violations, failing to protect workers and failing to develop respiratory protection programs, the agency said in a bulletin. The fine is almost $42,700.

OSHA also cited GT Stone Granite for similar violations. The proposed fine is $73,600.

The companies have 15 days to comply or contest the findings.

The citations are the latest of several issued against stone countertop fabricators and makers in north Georgia over the last two years, OSHA information shows.