Unsafe Silica Levels Prompt Large Fine

BURLINGTON, Wash. – State safety inspectors cited a fabricator here for numerous violations — with nearly $330,000 in fines — involving crystalline silica.

The Washington State Department of Labor & Industries (L&I) took action against A+ Marble & Granite LLC in July after several inspections, including one involving a warrant from a county court.

Inspectors cited the company for safety problems in April 2022, and alleged that follow-up visits this February and March found little improvement in conditions.

Claiming that the owner was uncooperative, inspectors got a warrant from Skagit County Superior Court to enter the shop and take samples of silica levels.

The owner told inspectors that no changes had been made to correct the violations from the 2022 inspection. Inspectors photographed workers using the same polishing equipment and process, leading to silica overexposure.

L&I found 10 instances of failure to abate existing issues, along with more than a dozen serious and repeat violations.

Washington state fined the company $329,880. The company has filed an appeal.

“It shouldn’t take a judge and a court order to get a business to follow the rules,” said Craig Blackwood, assistant director for the Division of Occupational Safety and Health. “We’ll do whatever is needed to ensure workers are protected.”