Silicosis Part III: Resources, Options and Guidance for Fabricators
By: Paul Max Le Pera
Cohen Seglias partner Joseph Sine sat down with Stone World after the Raleigh Technical Summit to discuss critical issues surrounding silica safety and its impact on fabricators. Drawing from his extensive experience, Joe offered actionable guidance on navigating OSHA compliance, mitigating legal risks, and fostering a culture of workplace safety. He emphasized the importance of proactive measures, such as utilizing OSHA’s On-Site Consultation Program, creating robust safety plans, and regularly training employees. Joe highlighted that protecting workers not only safeguards their health but also minimizes potential liability for fabricators. His insights provide a roadmap for industry professionals seeking to address the ongoing silicosis crisis responsibly and effectively.
An industry leader sat down with a legal expert to ask pertinent questions regarding silica safety and what it means for fabricators
Welcome to Part III of this continuing series on the silicosis epidemic affecting the surfacing industry. Now that the genesis and “growth” of the epidemic has been systematically laid out in Parts 1 & II (published in Stone World earlier this year), it is time to start focusing on what help and resources are available to fabricators. In this article, I share absolutely vital information I learned with an attorney who is ahead of the curve in helping/representing fabricators, as well as distributors and manufacturers, navigate through the precarious silicosis waters we wade in today.
I was honored to have been invited to the Raleigh Technical Summit this past September at CaraGreen (suppliers of “Healthier Alternative” building materials) in Raleigh, NC. Jessica McNaughton, president of CaraGreen, worked long and hard with Laura Grandlienard, president of ROCKin’teriors, an extremely well-respected custom countertop fabricator in Raleigh, to host the Summit. This exclusive event was by invitation only with the goal of keeping it smaller in size, which facilitated a more intimate atmosphere. Invites were focused on those who had a significant voice, industry stake and/or vision to share. The companies hope to make the Summit an annual event in Raleigh.
During the Summit, I had the pleasure of attending a presentation by Joseph Sine, partner of Cohen, Seglias, Pallas, Greenhall & Furman PC. Sine’s presentation focused on silicosis — everything from the history of silica safety requirements to the most recent silicosis litigation. He also provided insight on what fabricators can do right NOW to protect themselves and their workers.
