The production of crushed quartz countertops may be causing deadly lung issues in workers

[@redbloodedbutterfly]

Since this is happening in the US, why isn't OSHA or another worker safety agency stepping in and requiring property safety equipment and ventilation? I hope CBS stays on this story.

[@ndo533]

Really makes you wonder

[@Rick-qf5de]

We don't have enough OSHA inspectors Trump fired them all... They retired and the new , younger ones are not experienced....

[@James-oo7bv]

@@Rick-qf5de That’s BS. In California there is CALOSHA. It goes above and beyond OSHA. These workers who are sick are illegal immigrants who are working for cash and flying under the radar.

[@unikornkontroller]

The lack of education the fabrication shop owner has about the stone is alarming. It's stone dust...not sure how much more you need to know to realize you shouldn't be breathing this in. I don't fault the manufacturers of the product. I fault the smaller fabrication shops. Dry cutting this stuff is the main issue but it's not always practical to wet cut it. They need proper ventilation installed. This is basically an Asbestos 2.0 epidemic.

[@redbloodedbutterfly]

@@unikornkontroller Agreed. Proper ventilation, protective gear, and vacuuming up the dust as its created during cutting is what's needed, not a ban on the material per se.

[@kristenroberts4502]

A lung transplant at 34. It’s humbling how negligent their employers are.

[@libirdinowski6270]

Those illegal immigrants / Employees are negligent…they never used the Proper PPE which is a safety thing…. If you ain’t safe don’t work…. I can guarantee you that not one if those guys user masks…

[@matty7758]

​@@libirdinowski6270well that comes down to poor safety training and enforcement. 100% the employers responsibility. But sure blame the migrant workers, with their lack of education, who are paying with tgeir lives if it makes you feel better pal

[@keriezy]

My brother's work is in these kind of counter tops. He is militant about safety. His whole shop is wet to keep dust down. He's watches YT videos with people working on these surfaces, and he is always pointing out the dangers.

[@Matt-fl8uy]

Republicans would shut him down FAST. End that socialism.

[@dead01]

​@@Matt-fl8uy bro! 🤣

[@casey4602]

​@@Matt-fl8uy🤡🤡

[@kandy8838]

Dangerous like ASBESTOS

[@GameChanger597]

​Don't get it twisted. Socialism is not a good thing. And before you argue how successful some "socialist" countries are, just know that most "socialist" countries are not actually socialist countries at all. It's a very common misconception. Go find a real Socialist from a real Socialist country and see how much they looooove that Socialism😬 @@Matt-fl8uy

[@bchearne]

This is absolutely nuts. The business owners need criminal charges brought against them

[@curtbergeron703]

This is really sad. All for countertops that will one day be considered out of style and tossed in a landfill when the kitchen is remodeled.

[@hansmemling2311]

Exactly. It’s crazy.

[@LolaDelMarCaribe]

Bingo!

[@applejacks8160]

It’s seriously the worst friggin part. The amount of construction waste in this country is staggering.

[@gutwallst6645]

Rule number one when I go to the landfill, look for useful stuff to bring home and most of the time, I do bring back stuff from the landfill,some things, I use to this day

[@Andy-im3kj]

This is why I hate this fad of black, Grey, white everything along with granite and quartz countertops for the sake of looking like am HGTV home. Meanwhile those homes crumble in less than a decade my 100 year old home is still standing strong with little issues in the century its been standing. There are brand new developed homes I've worked out of that already have cracked foundations, walls, leaky roofs in under 10 years. This is not good folks!!!

[@johndavis9487]

These workers need full body protective suits!

[@murderofcrows7475]

I used to install countertops and everyone knew not to inhale the dust. What really sucks is that there are actually specialty stone cutting and sanding tools that spray water as you operate them to keep the dust down and these shops are probably trying to save a buck by not using them.

[@madmatt2024]

Doesn't the wetting the tool give a better result and help the cutters last longer too?

[@B11video]

@@madmatt2024 Yes, absolutely. Water is a lubricant and transfers heat away from the diamond tooling as well as capturing and carrying away the dust before it can become airborne.

[@54andBored]

Install is different than making them

[@madmatt2024]

@@54andBored True but you still might need to trim it a little bit to fit and possibly bore holes for the faucet to mount to. It still creates dust.

[@rockman49er]

Yes and they also have built in vacuums so they are using the wrong or outdated tools and cheapskate out

[@DonnieVision723]

She said every week!!! Everyone needs to see this !!!!

[@humblecourageous3919]

My brother worked in the oil fields in his 20s. He had to crawl into those big tanks and clean them. Someone outside pumped air inside. There were no masks, no oxygen. He later worked in a Mobil refinery. He went back to school and became a 6th grade teacher for 19 years. But he died of multiple myeloma at age 57. We believe it was from working in the oil fields. All the rest of us are well into our 70s.

[@Happycat8385]

That's so horrible, it's really sickening how these companies basically think lives are disposable for the sake of making more money and not taking proper safety measurements to save a few bucks. I know I'm a stranger but I'm sorry that happened to him

[@Donna-vh5ym]

I had a friend die of the same thing. Before he died, he sued , so his family is set for life, but they're still without him. If more people sued, maybe they'd take more measures to ensure employees' safety. Sometimes, companies have to get hit in their deep pockets to really change safety standards.

[@concepcionmenzona-stewart4615]

My condolences & thanks for his love for educating the youth 😊👏🏽

[@HsHwjwwk]

​@@Happycat8385people are to blame, in America is all about materialism.......that's how they think, the more they have, the better they feel, most of my friends work there, I chose to do something different.....

[@kasun1752]

Yes it could be, any kind of smell or dust can cause cancer but like you said should be regulated, and many may not, my brother works I landscape with dirt even the dirt can have minerals that can cause cancer… just sad

[@em.415]

Australia and New Zealand are always ahead of the US in protecting workers and citizens in general. What’s wrong with this country?

[@bolotabr12]

Pure greed

[@isailevilopez5134]

Capitalism

[@kevkeisha]

Australia is primarily homogeneous. It is much easier to come up with responsible policies for people that are a reflection of you and your family.

[@alarahillton1343]

Wall Street

[@verchris1119]

Corruption my friend.

[@ashleyb777]

This is a crime. We had those kind of counters installed in our home we built 15 years ago, never would have chosen them if I had known this. Prayers.

[@hawk71432]

I cut quartz daily, if done properly it’s 100% safe. The problem there are illegal shops contractors use to get a cheap price and these shops do not have silica suppression systems keeping every one safe. There is zero dust in my shop. We have yearly osha air quality tests to ensure employee safety, you need to visit the shop and vet them before having g the countertops done. Any countertop material is harmful. All stone contains silica. It’s how they suppress the silica.

[@daisyconsuelo]

My thoughts in deed. I work have not supported this industry if I was informed. This is inhumane.....

[@ShiningSakura]

you can have similar problems in any place that works with clay... like say high school ceramics class. Silica is an issue only when dry, my teacher was militant about keeping things wet ad cleaning up messes with water and cloths afterwards and never sweeping anything dry for this exact reason. You can also get it working with cement, it has silica as well and they sell it at home depot and lowes to everyday people.That's why my father never let us help him when working with cement bags as children. Its found in cement countertops and even all natural stone as well. This is especially when cut, that's why you cut it wet, not just to keep the blade from getting hot, but to keep those particles from getting airborne. Knowing these examples.... should we then Ban all stone as building materials and arts and crafts???? NO of course not. I think what needed to happen with this report is bringing awareness to silica and that it isn't just this type of countertop and that its not ALL manufactured stone facilities that causes this issue and freak the general public out without giving ALL the information. This is poor reporting. Some shops are super serious about this, and others sadly aren't... also remember that there are always those who ignore safety protocol.... like never wearing seatbelts in a car. Lets not overreact now.

[@JosephPierson-o1r]

I mean unless you’re involved in the production process it is NOT dangerous to the consumer. Did you even listen and watch the video?

[@EpicGamingGrunt]

Thank Trump.. He passed legislation, making it harder to sue companies for this type of hazardous work environments. It's pathetic.

[@Skank_and_Gutterboy]

I can believe it. If you're cutting and grinding that stuff without proper breathing protection, it's like you're inhaling ground glass. That is not good.

[@danteinferno175]

Yeah, it's not the makers of the quartz slabs that are at fault, it's the smaller sweat-shops that CUT the slabs into countertops...

[@beadweaver4409]

Another example of greed where human life is not considered.

[@Krayzo093Bosspimp]

Sad

[@candisham1978]

You can call this greed and everything, but the employees are the ones working in a “haze” of dust as they say in the video. I mean, they are not taking proper precautions themselves. I do acrylic nails, and the dust is bothersome, so I wear a mask, even thought it’s not required. Some of these things are common sense. But yes, the companies need to require employees wear these things all the time, whether they want to or not.

[@mjohnson1741]

Capitalism at it's finest!

[@WarmongerYT]

​@@mjohnson1741 🤦🏻‍♀️🤡 or most workers wear protective wear. These people are in literal cloud of dust. They're not following basic common sense protocols

[@Hakuna_Frittata]

​@@candisham1978 Implying that the company isn't liable for failure to follow OSHA regulations regarding silica dust.

[@sidrahalvi1399]

Looks like a great, compassionate pulmonologist.

[@kenmore01]

So, why dont these companies give out the proper PPE like other responsible companies?

[@qwenqwen1476]

Because it is not a white collared job and often the people who work in this field may not be legal residents thus probably unable to sue big corporations….it would be human to ban the material altogether! Will be banned right away if average home owners are affected!!! Sadly, this is the way of the world! If the illegals use your tax dollars for lung transplant, maybe then more would cry out to ban such materials?!?

[@MaikyMoto]

Corporate greed

[@danielsonse7en]

They expect the employees to buy them and probably don't even bother educating them on it

[@bradley3549]

Why didn't they bring their own is my question? The answer is probably that either everybody was completely ignorant to the dangers -or- there is a culture of machoness where they think they are too cool for PPE. Seen a lot of both.

[@danielsonse7en]

@@bradley3549 there's definitely a culture of "just get the job done, don't worry about safety" in any manual labor workplace but it's up to the managers and employers to set the tone, culture, and provide the education of the dangers.

[@lilianamedina1724]

They are hard working people and deserve to be protected like any other company. It's sad to these bad working conditions that affects their health later in life 😔

[@tonyramirez4915]

Workers don’t wear their respirators, and management doesn’t mandate it (even though OSHA does). It’s not particle masks, it is respirators that they need. I see this all the time in the aerospace industry.

[@yepyep6916]

A lot of construction workers won’t wear N95 respirators. This also applies to cutting ANY CONSTRUCTION materials

[@omartinoco9930]

The crushed rock in the air clogs the tiny opening that filters. The solution is to use hand saws and wet the stone. Not the most profitable but the safest way. The shop must also have special air suction.

[@garysarratt1]

Do you know what an industrial respirators looks like?

[@yepyep6916]

@@garysarratt1 …yes, familiar with osha industrial hygiene and occupational safety.

[@garysarratt1]

@@yepyep6916 Ok, good; I thought you were picturing the N-95 most people picture in their minds.

[@yepyep6916]

@@garysarratt1 there are about 7 or 8 types that are use specific. My point was that some worker choose not to wear PPE….including fall protection

[@Iposttherforeiam]

OSHA should shut it down. Ban the product. Human life over vanity and greed.

[@jon9103]

That would require proof that it is too dangerous even when following proper protocols.

[@ChetHanks-eh1md]

but muh freedom!

[@madameclark3453]

OSHA does have rule on PPE requirements for capturing silica.

[@kmfd6924]

Yes. Because banning….anything, always works. Let’s ban rocks, now.

[@kmfd6924]

Unsafe practices, like the ones clearly shown in the stills in this reporting, are to blame. For whatever reason, these people don’t use water when they’re cutting silicates. THAT is to blame….nothing else. There’s a right way, and there’s a wrong way to do things. Period

[@ZippyandOllie]

Thanks for bringing this to light, I hope there’s change to protect these hard working folks.

[@beagoodhuman44]

Absolutely heartbreaking. Society is beyond broken

[@taylorstation1319]

No wet saws, poorly ventilated builds and no respirators are killing these men.

[@carolimawesomeandimfabulou4973]

This is the area needed for robotics.

[@YeahmynameKiara]

True

[@derricklangford4725]

That makes sense.

[@javierpalacios120]

You nailed it

[@angelaburress8586]

Outsourcing of jobs more job loss because people don’t have common sense and the owners are cheap!!!!

[@desertrose_lovesnm]

No we need organic normal materials that aren't poisonous.

[@d.4227]

I worked for Mission Floors in Hayward California. I had to quit after a month. The fabrication dust from the back was all the way to the show room.

[@rrcmjp22]

Unfortunately these workers who aren’t from here are exploited and may not know the safety concerns, or don’t care. Silicosis is like an age old disease among construction workers and these restrictive lung diseases are deadly. People need to take serious precautions.

[@AshliAlexandria23]

My heart goes out to these people

[@JAlexisG221]

This is so horrible. Praying for their healing 🙏

[@hugoedelarosa]

NPR covered this years ago. Silica dust is also found in many types of drywall joint compound.

[@JohneeB]

This report is a real mixed bag. I have been a contractor for 30 years and I have seen many workers who refuse to wear protective equipment. Silicosis has been known about for decades and even people who mix concrete and do masonry work are told to wear respirators. It is a very old disease exacerbated by the high silica content of cultured stone. This doesn't excuse the shops from ignoring safe practices, but to ban a product because people don't require PPE or create a wet shop is an insane over-reaction. Like the doctor said "This is preventable" Australia's ban is a crime against reality. Ceaserstone was deceptive with the government judging by the articles I have read, but that doesn't justify a ban, just some censure for lying or not taking the actions they were supposed to. And the reporters comment about Cosentino low silica stone "not making a difference" is idiotic. Many natural stones have 47% silica. Does she not know the difference between 47% and 97%? This is a serious topic and one that needs attention, not sensationalistic reporting. Using respirators and creating wet shops with proper ventilation can stop this without overreacting politicians banning things.

[@chris98531]

Well said!

[@jon9103]

To be fair, I got that most of the illness could have been prevented by following safe practices from watching the video and I knew nothing about the topic before.

[@ChetHanks-eh1md]

government can't tell me what to do. Wearing a mask is woke.

[@truckingwithtobee]

Exactly that’s what I just stated above.

[@Saje3D]

As Jon Stewart famously said, the legacy media’s actual biases are “sensationalism and laziness.” I mean, I clicked this story, though it literally has nothing to do with me. Mission accomplished.

[@jayjohn9680]

There used to be black lung from coal mines until the water infused drill was invented… but it wouldn’t work, makes too much sense. They need some water poured on those slabs during the drilling process.

[@johlae]

I saw quartz in mediating this morning..Praying the workers get the protection they need and the others are healed..

[@lt3074]

Amen 🙏🏾

[@brakesforsnakes757]

Your prayers won't do a GD thing.

[@ChetHanks-eh1md]

mediating or meditating

[@MyOldNameWasTaken]

There is no healing this condition. No surgery or medicine can remove those particles and scarring from their lungs. Your prayers are worth squat.

[@ucarouen]

​@@brakesforsnakes757New Age prayers don't. On the other hand, I've seen the Lord Jesus Christ restore the lungs of people with terrible conditions like COPD and emphysema and no longer need oxygen tanks to breathe. He is amazing.

[@paleomagicksr.9880]

Coal seams are thinner nowadays, and workers are exposed to silica dust in rocks above & below these seams, making them sick with silicosis, too.

[@louismat319]

Why not use a wet saw? The usually keeps the dust down.

[@brendaarrgh]

It's up to the foreman or lead engineer to enforce safety. It's up to the employer to educate the workers so that they can avoid worker's comp claims . its up to OSHA to ensure compliance. Edit to add that if you're 1099 worker it's ultimately up to you, Which isnt uncommon in the construction field.

[@nilolee2426]

It’s like the deadly asbestos

[@healthywealthymillionaire8]

People need to know about this

[@kellykat8057]

The most beautiful thing in the world is good health. We all have a responsibility to each other to do things, or not do things that help each other stay healthy. Most of these workers will die before matching organs become available. Is that new gorgeous countertop worth knowing that you are causing pain & death to fellow humans? Not being able to breathe & knowing you are dying is a painful & terrifying experience. I know firsthand from an unrelated condition. Thank you to the AGH CTEPH team & UCSD CTEPH/PTE surgery team for giving me my breath & life back.

[@Petunia500]

Well said, often times we oversee how crucial good health is. There’s nothing more important than being able to live a healthy life without having to worry about how to take my next breath! I hope you are doing good and living a healthy life

[@einnAnnie]

The irony of you typing that comment on a device that was more than likely manufactured using child labor, and powered by a battery containing minerals most certainly mined by young children in the Congo who don't even have access to basic safety and heath protections, is remarkable. Remarkable and mind-blowingly ignorant.

[@ucarouen]

​@@einnAnnieSays the troll with no self-awareness typing on the same kind of device. Have a wonderful day!

[@immcguyver07]

Why aren't they not wearing PPE?

[@slammysammy9555]

Never informed of the risks

[@Treboris1]

I worked at an uncle's shop and it was up to us to wear masks or not. We wore it most of the time but sometimes we just decided not to. Once I joined union, OSHA is VERY strict on the dust protocol. I followed those rules BUT there are ALWAYS worker's who would not follow them once the safety guy was not around them. I didn't know about Silica until I joined the union and had always had a mask and filters with me as well as wet cutting. I try to advise others to wear a mask but they dont care enough. One thing us Mexicans are is being stubborn.

[@Treemonieee]

Then they went to sue when they get sick.

[@lGraytheferalcat]

We are stubborn and undertrained I worked 6 years with dangerous chemicals and my boss was pretty ignorant what we where dealing with thankfully I read all labels I’m hoping I don’t have any lung problems as I age 😢

[@Theflyflytchic]

Silica dust is one of the tiniest crystallized particles so even with the best PPE you’re still subject to the dangers of it

[@kingjesus7926]

This situation is not just with countertops but woods ,chemicals , paints and etc.

[@allaboutthatwifeandmomlife]

Ban it here too. This is so sad and unnecessary just for counter tops.

[@einnAnnie]

Shall we ban the device you're using to comment, seeing as how it contains plastic, which is made from petroleum -- a substance known to cause cancer and other diseases in the workers who extract and refine it? Or maybe ban electricity, since the majority of it is generated by burning natural gas and coal, the latter of which is mined by workers who risk contracting and dying from Black Lung disease? Maybe we can ban the batteries in your smartphone that require rare minerals almost exclusively mined by young children in the Congo who lack any workplace safety regulations at all?

[@allaboutthatwifeandmomlife]

@@einnAnnie actually I agree with you! If it’s causing these extreme risks to the humans that are sourcing or making these things that us consumers hold so dearly absolutely!!!! There are a lot of things banned in other countries like certain additives to our foods in the states. We have to find ways to enjoy modern things without putting people’s lives at risk, or at the very least let people know the inherent risk they may encounter working in such conditions. 🙏🏽

[@gutwallst6645]

ban everything, im sure China and India would agree

[@joekev27]

I recently joined the IBEW and they make sure to warn us about silicone dust while at work. Its honestly one of my biggest worries while working but at least I'm aware of the possible risk unlike people who started 10 or 20 years ago who didn't know about the risks or weren't told about the risks.

[@DisasterMaster3K]

Vanity over lives and showing off wealth over the lives and safety of others.

[@Theonetruegod-hw2ei]

Welcome to humanity.

[@Theonetruegod-hw2ei]

@@GuacamoleyNacho you must be a conservative living in a conservative community. What you say it wrong.

[@lalab1071]

​@@GuacamoleyNachoI agree 👍

[@sharonsolana]

Most consumers don't know their countertops may have a deleterious effect on workers.

[@eattherich9215]

@@sharonsolana: some wouldn't care if they did know.

[@MichaelMonsanto]

I’m a Safety manager at a Sand Mine. We have issues with Silica in the air. We are under MSHA regulations and currently they are working on a program where they pull dust samples for an entire shift. This is a way to help. But the main and first line of defense is to wear a N95 dust mask. And proper ventilation. Some places use a vacuum system that shoots the dust into the air after it’s collected. But that goes against EPA regulations. So this is an ongoing issue no matter what. Wear a mask. And change your clothes before you go home to your families. That’s what I tell all the guys

[@jjn6914]

I wish the U.S. would be as hardlined like the EU and Australia when it comes to worker protections. This country should follow Australia's suit and ban engineered stone.

[@TruthFiction]

Did you forget that in the US, laws cater to corporations, not people?

[@robertreyes6664]

Glad this issue is being brought up. We have to protect our US workers. We need to do better.

[@theodorehaskins3756]

So I read through some of the comments here, and I am certainly no expert in this area, but one thing is for certain, if you listened to the Doctor in this video, she clearly says that this is a preventable disease, and I think we need to follow the lead of the Australian government and step up to the plate and enforce the rules, and if we need additional regulations, then we should do that too, as the other lady said, in the piece, that no one should go to work and lose their lives because of their job, and I couldn’t agree more. This is where government is most needed in my opinion, and in this particular instance, it appears that government has failed these workers, and it’s high time that this becomes a national issue, and shame on the 2 US senators and whoever the representatives are in those areas for not making this a priority of their respective offices, assuming that’s the case here. So, if you’re working in this industry, besides getting yourself a lawyer, if you get a diagnosis like these gentlemen here in the video or if you care about these folks or this issue, make sure you contact your elected representatives, and let them know that you need to understand exactly what if anything they’re doing, or will do now that this issue has been brought to the forefront. So for all the people who hate media, this is why a Free Press is so important to a functioning democracy. In fact, it is in the Constitution, right there in the first amendment that talks about the freedom of the press. So the next time you hear people talk about the so-called liberal media, and all the other nonsense about, wokism, remind these people and yourselves of why the media should never be politicized, and yes, there will be people who will do just that, but you and I should know better. So stop politicizing the media, and hold the media up, because this is what we need the media doing, exposing the lies, scandals, misinformation/disinformation, and conspiracy theories, by putting out the facts, and telling the truth about those who manufacture and engage in these types of misinformation/disinformation campaigns, because people are dying, and it doesn’t get any more serious than that.

[@Kevinhobbytime]

More government and more mandates/regulations is exactly why America is losing manufacturing to other countries. Management needs to enforce current rules and increase ventilation possible even purchase the proper tools for the job. Water cutting and water grinding are the best way to do this job. As soon as the government gets involved, the company will move to india and shows over. Ever wonder why Detroit (motor city) disappeared but the vehicles kept coming? Overseas operations due to over regulation in the US. When you win, you lose.

[@gutwallst6645]

The same Australian government that locked people up they thought had COVID-19? That Australian government?? NO THANKS!!

[@fatherof4kids]

How about the people who live and work around those shops? The air leaving those shops need to be filtered.

[@thomasandsonsplumbing1282]

This isn’t nothing new. Brick layers and concrete guys are at risk to. Anyone who does concrete work or anything like it.

[@sdinim8695]

This reminds me workers abusive in Asia and Africa but this is happening in USA it’s ridiculous.

[@allthingsnu4673]

Is silica the problem or just not adequate protective gear for the workers? It seems to be the latter, to me. The workers need to wear those disposable hazmat suits along with the best respirators and eye protection.

[@mtgibbs]

The tools can also have built-in dust collection or use wet processes to control the dust, plus the ventilation in the shops could be upgraded, in addition to the masks. No reason why they need to be working in a cloud of dust other than ignorance or negligence by the management.

[@L.Spencer]

They didn't address that, I was wondering the same thing. In the last shop they were wearing what looked like air filters, not just masks.

[@chris_3636]

The lack of correct PPE and dust extraction is surely the problem here. The workers definitely have a case, but this product can be worked safely, if we're prepared to pay the cost, and the employers are prepared to protect their workers.

[@Bob-bm1fk]

Wet saw and grinders.

[@kenmore01]

It's just a respiratory problem. No hazmat suits, just masks.

[@Yvonne-qi9mw]

I was surprised to see that a wet saw for cutting tile or rocks is not being used in this video. Quartz is a silca. Which is toxic. Cutting wet keeps the silica dust down. Which makes it less likely to breathe in and/or get in ones eyes... especially if they are wearing the correct safety equipment. With the lack of such measures, I can see why they are getting sick from it.

[@Pou1gie1]

They NEED to do an investigation on Silica in makeup because nearly all the make up now, including lipglosses, contain silica or mica.

[@TruthFiction]

Do you breathe lipgloss? No? Then it's not a problem.

[@galactic25]

I think there’s silica in McDonald’s hamburgers too 😂😂

[@driggledraggle7702]

@@TruthFictionyou’re not very bright, are you?

[@elvalvinoskyo3307]

I was a delivery driver for a plumbing company and I used to deliver sinks to some granite shops and always wondered how they work in those conditions

[@theg4520]

Can we please be honest for a second who in there right mind would think breathing in dust of any kind for hours would be safe? The people at fault would be the shops that allow it to happen and now trying to act like they did not know inhaling dust is dangerous because the stone manufacturer did not tell them. Yeah ok

[@carolblair2845]

Yep, and idiots keep smoking cigarettes, but no one complains much anymore…..

[@slammysammy9555]

The effects of silica are particularly insidious. You would think your lungs could clear up anything that you’ve breathed in. But silica dust becomes imbedded in the tissue and never goes away, ever. Someone who’s never heard of the dangers would not consider that factor

[@UrsulaPowers]

Thank you for covering this problem! I feel so bad for these workers. I can’t even imagine what they are going through.

[@CoolHand273]

Why aren't these guys wearing respirators instead of masks or nothing at all? This reminds me of the roundup cases...you are not supposed to take a bath in the stuff was lost on the jury. Like anything dosage is key. Silicosis is prevalent in sheetrock installers also.

[@truckingwithtobee]

It is given to them in these factories, but these workers refused to wear them because it’s too hot or they don’t want it on their face. I’ve seen it happen in about a factory years ago when I worked in one most of these bathtubs are in everybody’s homes. The name of the company was Lasko.

[@slammysammy9555]

It’s not articulated to them what the exact health effects of inhaling silica dust are. Maybe they’re under the impression that they may just get congested and catch a chest cold or something. I worked handling silica sand when I was young and it was never articulated to me ONCE that the dust was dangerous at all. And there was no PPE use. I didn’t even know that it was silica that I was handling, I was just doing my job, emptying the hopper.

[@nospamrsr]

I have been complaining about the lack of proper training and protection for silica exposure for nearly two decades. When informing workers directly, they mostly get upset at me for saying anything. I don't think the problem can be blamed completely on employers when the employees dismiss the safety information that you try to give them on a daily basis. Everyone wants to point the finger at someone else, but I know first hand that the workers themselves blatantly ignore safety information because they think it's inconvenient.

[@michaelvandyke6715]

Every lapidary artist knows of this disease from material like this! Many have died from COPD and other lung issues from grinding rocks .. It's a must to use the proper equipment at all times!

[@Lila22.11]

How come we do not hear about these type of horrible conditions for workers???

[@CrzBonKerz21]

Stories are everywhere. And if you work in construction you see it all the time.

[@staind.raindrop]

Why don't they focus on requiring and providing better masks that effectively prevent the inhalation of the dust instead of banning the production of the product? I couldn't believe seeing all those workers with paper masks on their face when there are currently industrial quality face respirator masks they could be using.

[@chrismn3068]

In Michigan we were trained on this very topic in 2016 and contractors were forced to supply safety equipment to protect the workers, but that is one of the main reasons Unions were formed....Safety

[@bandido7994]

In short, they are breathing glass. Comprende?

[@Garymo2u]

You can get this from cat litter, cutting concrete, this stuff is no joke! Having water on hand to lower dust levels helps!!!

[@greghope82]

People aren’t dying. Minorities are. Tell the truth. Is that not what we teach our kids. Tell the TRUTH.

[@tajr.2650]

Bingo!

[@28th_St_Air]

The way you have worded your comment implies that minorities are not people. Is that what you intended?

[@bandido7994]

They are people too.

[@lt3074]

Say it again

[@warrpedd]

Pretty sure minorities are people too. 😮

[@LoloO42]

I dont understand OSHA. As a salon owner of 20 years, I never once received a notification from them. I had to rely on clients who were ER doctors. They would bring me the OSHA warnings they got about working with powdered bleach, manicure chemicals, etc.

[@kittrich2011]

I’ve had quartz installed in several areas of my home and the Mexican fabricator / installers never wear respiratory protection while they are cutting the quartz holes and doing final cuts in my home. It’s terrible. I said something about it , like hey you guys shouldn’t be breathing that in, but they just shrugged.

[@rosarioc.debaca1935]

You were concerned about the safety of the workers that were cutting the quartz that was getting installed in your home. I hope there were adequate protections to prevent the silica dust from getting suspended in the air or imbedded on surfaces in your home. OSHA does have publications on the internet with safety information and precautions specific to silica. If the contractor installed granite in your home without regard to his workers' safety, that contractor probably didn't take appropriate precautions to avoid contaminating your house with silica dust.

[@gpappas5833]

Wet saws and respirators. These employers are to blame not setting up these shops safely. This is common in all areas of construction.

[@bandido7994]

Nothing new: In 1700, Dr. Bernardino Ramazzini, considered the founder of occupational medicine, identified evidence of silicosis in stone cutters. Roughly 200 years later, Dr. Alice Hamilton, a physician whose work resulted in significant safety and health reforms, documented silica related illnesses among granite workers.

[@92spice18]

Should the companies they work for provide them with the proper PPE? Also, does the finished product have any risks to homeowners after installation?

[@RobertCarroll-v1f]

Every industry has it's issues. However,the companies providing the end product here are to blame for not taking care of workers. It's called PPE. Personal protection equipment.

[@Noelle.Tyy0890]

I work at one of OSHA’s training centers and this is beyond unacceptable. That company knows damn well that their employees should have PPE for silica dust. They are trained to know this!! I hope they get sued. Prayers to those workers. You don’t deserve this!! 🙏🏽🙏🏽

[@jazzip]

Any procedure that produces fine dust you should take precautions against. Working with cement, baking flour etc. I went to Budapest and there was a lot of construction going on there and restoration. I was appalled at the amount of dust being produced it triggered hay fever, I’ve never had hay fever ever. I didn’t even know what was wrong with me until the pharmacist explained. It did not subside until I left. I felt so bad for the contractors working without PPE. Their lungs are going to be shot.

[@samaiyalaadam6041]

Thanks for sharing and raising the awareness. Now I'll think of these unfortunate victims each time I watch HGTV.

[@mpat100]

Blessings healing and good luck for all those affected by this condition

[@Xavier-uknonada]

They don't get ppe or get told that they need ppe. In kc, the home builders take advantage of immigrants and people with poor education. Arrest the home builders.

[@kenmore01]

Not the builders, the manufacturers. They should be taking care of their employees.

[@Bruceyenzer]

If you wet cut and wear a respirator, you can live a long healthy life in this industry. Or any stone related job for that matter. There are so many other products that contain silica and as long as you’re responsible with PPE, you’ll have 0% issues.

[@Deee.X]

I’m sure this never would’ve happened in his homeland but he was forced to come here and now he has to sue American employers.

[@mlsa9520]

The companies and manufacturers are at fault. Customers shouldn't be shamed for purchasing. This news is ridiculous.

[@kingtryton]

This reminds me of the "factory girls" story of the early 19th century who were exposed to radium after being told it was safe, later developed all sorts of cancers its terrible that this mans life was put in harms way for someone else counter top finish in their kitchen... the sad part is the manufacture probably knew well before hand the effects but chose profits over people we have to change this in order to keep our hard working communities alive!!

[@michelleflora2957]

I just installed quartz countertops in my kitchen & bathroom! I had no idea it was dangerous for the workers!

[@bluepurple1971]

I had a feeling about these counter tops.. they have them as show cases. In the manufacturing department.. they're not following OSHA. Regulators.

[@jacquelinebhg2325]

this is heartbreaking and maddening. I hope word spreads on this danger, this is shocking

[@jungersrules]

Just how much has really changed since the beginning of the industrial revolution? SMH.

[@pamelacaro8556]

Praying for these men who work so hard to just provide for their families! If there’s a link to support them, please share

[@JH-lz4dh]

Absolutely HORRENDOUS 😢😢😢😢😢😢

[@thehulk1177]

Remember silica is also in break pad dust

[@ejonesss]

basically it is glass dust.

[@ImGearsBeast]

Physical labors do the most, get paid the least and face the harshest work conditions and after effects

[@manuelacastillo1771]

Sending them prayers for them and family

[@lynnhughes]

I did this for 20 years. We did use water for cutting and polishing. But still the water drys and you have dust everywhere.

[@silverblue9286]

Personal protective equipment!!!

[@StarknightSK]

This is strong journalism.

[@WeeWeeJumbo]

wow it’s almost as if you can’t trust small business, medium business or large business to do the right thing on their own, and if you don’t regulate them all to Hell and back, then business will ruthlessly sacrifice people for money

[@WeeWeeJumbo]

how many times do we have to learn this lesson? oh! floating shape in the corner of my eye. oops looks like we have already forgotten this story

[@stevenjohnson626]

Good informative story, keep them coming. Workers need to be made aware.

[@carolinanoriega6292]

We've seen numerous of employees who refuse to use masks or use other protections. No matter how many stories they hear, how many classes they take. Sometimes it's ignorance, a macho thing or simply stupidity. It's one of those things where some people don't believe or don't think there will be consequences. Depending on the type work, people still have consequences even after using protection. The solution may be more machines or robots and that may mean less jobs for people.

[@Speakupok]

The workers are not probably warned.

[@tedjuniormichael1083]

Where not to apply for job.

[@janebishop5885]

Why does anyone need to be told that it's a health problem when workers are in hazy conditions. This is another example of how labor is exploited because they are perhaps illegal workers. Citizen workers are more likely to ask for improvements.

[@kule510]

This is crazy