We care about your safety

Commitment to Safe and Responsible Use

At WHS, we are committed to promoting the safe and responsible use of our materials. Although WHS does not manufacture, fabricate, or install stone and quartz products, we acknowledge that these activities may present health and safety risks. This page provides important information, guidance, and resources to help support safe work practices and compliance with relevant workplace health and safety requirements.

Silica Safety

The fabrication and installation of quartz and other stone materials can generate respirable crystalline silica (SiO₂), a fine dust that can penetrate deep into the lungs. Without effective exposure controls, prolonged inhalation of respirable silica may lead to serious and potentially fatal health conditions, including silicosis, lung cancer, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and other respiratory illnesses.

WHS does not fabricate, process, or install stone products. Responsibility for managing silica-related risks rests solely with contractors, fabricators, installers, and employers performing these activities.

To minimize worker exposure to respirable crystalline silica, appropriate safety measures should be implemented, including:

• Using wet cutting, grinding, and polishing methods to suppress airborne dust
• Installing and maintaining local exhaust ventilation and effective air filtration systems
• Conducting regular air monitoring to evaluate exposure levels
• Providing and enforcing the use of NIOSH-approved respiratory protection and appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE)
• Training workers on silica hazards and ensuring compliance with applicable regulatory requirements, including OSHA 29 CFR 1926.1153 and relevant NIOSH guidance

Proper implementation of these controls helps protect worker health, supports regulatory compliance, and contributes to a safer and more sustainable workplace environment.

Safety Resources

For detailed guidance, regulatory requirements, and best practices related to respirable crystalline silica, please refer to the following official resources:

• OSHA – Crystalline Silica Safety
  https://www.osha.gov/silica-crystalline
• NIOSH – Workplace Safety and Silica
  https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/silica

These resources provide comprehensive information on silica hazards, exposure limits, engineering controls, air monitoring, respiratory protection, worker training, and compliance requirements. Contractors, fabricators, and installers should consult the applicable regulations and guidance documents to ensure safe work practices and effective worker protection programs.

Disclaimer

The information provided by WHS, including any safety, compliance, regulatory, or technical guidance, is intended for general informational purposes only and should not be construed as legal, regulatory, occupational health, or safety advice.

Customers, contractors, fabricators, installers, and other third parties are solely responsible for ensuring that their procurement, handling, fabrication, installation, and workplace practices comply with all applicable federal, state, and local laws, regulations, codes, and safety requirements.

WHS does not supervise, control, or participate in the fabrication or installation of its products and assumes no responsibility or liability for the implementation, adequacy, or effectiveness of any third-party safety programs, exposure-control measures, training, or compliance activities. Users of WHS materials are responsible for assessing workplace risks and implementing appropriate safety procedures and controls.

Nothing on this website should be relied upon as a substitute for professional legal, regulatory, environmental, or occupational health and safety advice.