Silica training and advocacy have been an important cornerstone of Natural Stone Institute (NSI)’s safety efforts for decades. However, 2024 saw a major acceleration of resources and representation in this area as NSI stepped up to advocate for both their members and natural stone itself.

NSI participated in a panel discussion in May 2024 to share insights from the natural stone industry. Panelists included Dolan Williams (B&W Compliance), Ted Sherritt (Floform), and Nate Kolenski (Block Tops) join Michael Wilson (Cal/OSHA) and Jim Hieb (NSI).

NSI participated in a panel discussion in May 2024 to share insights from the natural stone industry. Panelists included Dolan Williams (B&W Compliance), Ted Sherritt (Floform), and Nate Kolenski (Block Tops) join Michael Wilson (Cal/OSHA) and Jim Hieb (NSI).


What Was Accomplished in 2024?

NSI contracted with Yale Occupational and Environmental Medicine to conduct research and provide perspective on the threats of silica and best practices. The International Surface Fabricators Association (ISFA) joined NSI in strategy development and provided financial support for these efforts. 

Three important documents were published through Yale to help guide stone companies and other stakeholders:

  • A Fabricator Guidance Document provides resources for sourcing workplace air monitoring for respirable dust and crystalline silica. It also includes best practices for when sampling should be scheduled, what information should be provided to the consultant, and how long reports should be retained.

  • A Sampling Firm/Consultant Guidance Document shares general requirements, sample strategies, minimum documentation, and laboratory results. It also details what should be included in a final consultant report, including both regulatory and best practice-based recommendations for the client.

  • A Silica Exposure Literature Review covers 34 publications and documents focused primarily on materials and work methods specific to RCS exposure from the fabrication of natural and engineered stone countertops. It aims to help identify the primary causes of risk for RCS exposure and to identify controls and work methods that can reduce or eliminate future silicosis cases.


NSI also worked with government officials, social service agencies, and others who are driving public policy to provide industry perspectives. Hundreds of meetings involving both NSI staff and volunteers were held in 2024.

NSI’s Silica & Slab Safety Certificate expanded its reach with both online and in-person opportunities for completion, leading to hundreds of industry employees completing the certificate. 

Updated Safety Posters in English and Spanish were sent to member fabricators and distributors, increasing awareness on a variety of safety issues, including silicosis.

 
What’s Coming in 2025?

A full Spanish translation of the Silica & Slab Safety Certificate was published in February 2025.

The NSI will continue working with Yale in 2025. Members can look forward to additional resources in 2025:

  • Two additional guidance documents for fabricators:

– One covering medical surveillance

– One covering how to transition from dry to wet cutting practices

  • A second literature review focused on medical-related studies

  • A report analyzing data from an air sampling study from NSI and ISFA members, with data collected in summer 2024

  • A webinar to update industry professionals on existing resources and those that are still in development.


California continues to be a central venue for discussions about next steps to keep employees safe. Workgroups are focused on refining regulatory standards to differentiate “bad actors” from those who are following best practices. The California emergency temporary standard (ETS) utilizes a “one size fits all” approach, resulting in stone companies who have a proven track record of compliance to be subject to additional PPE requirements. The industry is advocating for a TSA PreCheck-style regulation that would reward compliant companies. The industry also remains hopeful that the 2024 California legislation that would have introduced a fabricator licensure/registration system may be reintroduced as a result of industry efforts.

2024 NSI board president Katie Jensen commented: “While the resources developed in 2024 and those that are planned for 2025 are significant, perhaps the most important advancement for the future is the fact that NSI now has a ‘seat at the table’ with many stakeholders. When government officials and others want perspectives, they turn to associations like NSI. The relationships developed in 2024 will be beneficial in the future.”


Find NSI silica resources online at naturalstoneinstitute.org/silica.