Quartz-Surface Producers: Educate on Silicosis

DOMEGLIARA, Italy – The association of major quartz-surface producers called late last month for increased education and “adequate governmental involvement” to combat silicosis among fabricators.

The Agglomerated Stone Manufacturers Association (AStA), in a March 27 statement, also commiserated with workers now battling the crippling, and often fatal, lung disease.

“Recent developments have demonstrated that unsafe practices are still a reality for some tradesmen,” the statement noted. “AStA World Wide expresses its deepest sympathy for anyone who has contracted silicosis by simply doing their job, and are fully committed to the eradication of any occupational disease in our industry.”

AStA recognized the recent developments concerning silicosis and quartz-surface fabrication, stating that “it is important that all companies and workers who perform these tasks fully understand the risks of such exposure and follow best practices that ensure their tasks are completely safe to perform.

“Unfortunately, some employees and employers do not appreciate the gravity of the danger, aided by the fact that some of the diseases take many years to unfold. These factors, accompanied by the slow development of governmental occupational guidelines and enforcement have negatively impacted the  compliance in the fabrication industry.

The industry group referenced recent developments in Australia and Spain, However, AStA also cited statistics from Spain indicating that less than 9% of silicosis cases diagnosed from 2008-2021 involved stone fabricators, and “almost” half of Australian silicosis cases reported from 2000-2019 are from industries outside of engineered stone.

AStA also stated that its members “have always communicated the most updated information about our products, but it seems further action to education may be required.”

The group also called for government health and safety regulators, along with other stakeholders, to “update existing standards and rules; and most importantly – Enforce said standards in the fabrication industry.:

AStA cited efforts in the Australian state of Victoria as an example, where the government, “within a relatively short period of less than three years, managed to dramatically improve the working conditions by requiring fabricators to become licensed and allowing sale of products only to licensed fabricators.”

“We strive for all of our customers to be completely committed to operating with our products in a fully safe manner,” the statement concluded, “and, with that commitment, we continue to actively promote full safety practices at the workplace and collaborate with all industry members and public authorities to continue increasing awareness in our value chain worldwide.”

AStA’s 13 members worldwide include Caesarstone, Cambria, Compac, Cosentino, Diresco, LX Hausys and Quartzforms.