Natural Stone Institute Releases Quarrier Toolbox Talks
Contact:
Natural Stone Institute
(440) 250-9222
networking@naturalstoneinstitute.org
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Oberlin, OH, August 14, 2018—Natural Stone Institute, in collaboration with the National Building Granite Quarries Association (NBGQA), has produced a new series of safety training resources specific to the quarrier segment of the natural stone industry. These resources are now available free of charge in the Natural Stone University.
Thirteen Toolbox Talks with exams and ten documents outlining best practices are currently available, covering topics ranging from silica exposure and equipment best practices to welding and personal protective equipment. Each resource focuses on maintaining the health and safety of quarriers.
“The addition of these quarry-specific resources builds on the extensive library of safety resources currently available to fabricators, installers, and stone distributors. The resources also reference key MSHA requirements,” said Mike Loflin, Industry Research & Information Manager for the Natural Stone Institute. Rick Dilts, NBGQA President, agrees: “Quarry safety and consistency has always and will always be a primary concern for all of us. Sending our workers home safely to their families at the end of the day is our primary concern. These training tools help us take a huge step forward in that goal.”
Plans are in place to expand these resources further in the later part of 2018, with ten additional Toolbox Talks currently in process. To access these resources as a course bundle, visit the Natural Stone University at www.uofstone.com. To learn more about the National Building Granite Quarries Association, visit www.nbgqa.com.
###
About the Natural Stone Institute
The Natural Stone Institute is a trade association representing every aspect of the natural stone industry. The current membership exceeds 2,000 members in over 50 nations. The association offers a wide array of technical and training resources, professional development opportunities, regulatory advocacy, and networking events. Two prominent publications—the Dimension Stone Design Manual and Building Stone Magazine—raise awareness within the natural stone industry and in the design community for best practices and uses of natural stone. Learn more at www.naturalstoneinstitute.org.
About the National Building Granite Quarries Association
The National Building Granite Quarries Association (NBGQA) was founded over a century ago with approximately 12 original member granite companies which included most of the major building granite quarriers in the United States at that time. The purpose of the organization was back then, and remains today, the promotion of the use of granite in buildings and educating architects and general contractors about the properties and extraordinary durability of granite. In connection with this promotion, NBGQA provides listings of the available colors of granite, surface finishes, tolerances, test data and other specifications for owners, architects and contractors covering the proper use and incorporation of granite into building projects. In recent years, the promotion of safe quarrying methods and consistent regulation has also become a top priority within the organization’s member firms.
