Health, Safety, Ethical & Environmental
The latest news from the Stone Industry
An Indian sandstone quarry. The Times of India reports a case where a man with silicosis has not received the compensation that was introduced for mine workers with the disease in 2013.
The new Ethical Stone mark from Stone Federation Great Britain.
Health & Safety fines up 80% although there were fewer prosecutions.
Bonded labour and child labour is still used in some Indian quarries, says report.
Think you have been charged unfairly? Now you can appeal against FFI charges to a completely independent panel.
In Australia, a stonemason is suing 10 engineered quartz distributors for diseases he says he has contracted from dry cutting quartz for worktops, which is what is happening in the picture above taken in a workshop in England. The man cutting the quartz is not wearing a mask and is working away from the water wall so the dust is going into the factory where other people were working.
Australian mason Karl Bartosek says dry cutting engineered quartz for worktops has left him with silicosis and rheumatoid arthritis. It is believed to be the first time silica dust has been associated with rheumatoid arthritis.
America introduces RCS dust exposure levels half those of the UK.
Ethical trading: Stone Federation meets with stakeholders in the Royal Exchange, London.
Matthew Pencharz, former Deputy Mayor of London, says construction should help clean up the air.
Marshalls is fighting to improve the conditions of people in its supply chains so mothers do not bring their children into quarries, risking injury and exposure to silica dust, which can cause cancer.