Deadline for Submitting your Silica Comments to OSHA Approaches

If you are working with granite (or other natural stones) or quartz surfacing (or other engineered stones), you've probably heard about the proposed changes OSHA has put forth regarding silica. Basically, for the countertop industry, they want to halve the amount of silica exposure permissible. The countertop industry already has one of the lowest permissible levels, while other industries have regulations that allow more than double the amount of exposure. So, some businesses and organizations are up in arms over the changes.

While the proposed changes will level the playing field, putting all companies in all industries at the same permitted exposure level, it is hard to say exactly how much it will cost. And, there are a bunch of regulations that go along with it for testing, and education and regular medical examinations, etc. that will further increase the price.

Here is a link to some great information about the OSHA silica proposal. I would urge you to get informed.

Of course, some will say a safe fabricator is a happy one and silicosis is a horrible affliction, and that's okay too. But time to weigh in with an opinion is running out. The deadline to submit written comments on the proposal is Jan. 27, 2014, and you can do so at http://www.regulations.gov.

Useful Magazine for Countertop Information

The other day I received an email from ISFA (the countertop association) informing me they were offering free subscriptions to their magazine - Countertops & Architectural Surfaces - to countertop professionals in the United States. This is one of the last printed gems of the countertop world, and if you are in the countertop industry, I would strongly urge you to sign up to receive this great countertop publication here.

But if you want a little more information about it, you can find it here.

I know I mentioned this already in an earlier blog entry, but I don't want you to miss this opportunity. Who knows how long they will continue to offer the free subscription (and I'm still a big fan of the printed publication, even if they aren't doing so well these days with the increase in Internet usage).

Countertop Businesses and Fabricators in Alabama

The great state of Alabama: The 22nd state (on Dec. 14, 1819) with its capital in Montgomery, is the only state with all major natural resources needed to make steel (and iron). It is the nation's largest supplier of steel pipe products and produced the first rocket to put humans on the moon. But what does that have to do with countertops? Well, it happens to have quite a few countertop fabrication businesses as well, and you can find a list of countertop businesses in Alabama here!

I know there are some inconsistencies and such, which we will be working to correct, but I just couldn't wait to share it.

Why am I supplying you with this information? Well, it is a sneak peek at something new we are working on. We are trying to compile the most complete list of countertop fabricators in the United States from A to Z, and Alabama is the first. You guessed it, Alaska is next, followed by Arizona, then Arkansas and then, well, you get the picture.

And you will find it here first.

In coming weeks (and likely months), we will be compiling lists for all 50 states, and once we get them done, we will seek input from the industry to make sure everything is in order before we release the information to the public.

We think this is going to be very popular with the countertop community and very useful for those seeking new countertops.

Let us know what you think!

2013 Countertop News in Review

For those of you who missed it, a special edition of The Countertop Industry Insider newsletter was issued in mid-December, sharing the "Best" of 2013 - a very cool edition of this countertop newsletter.

If you aren't receiving the newsletter, you are missing out! But, don't worry, you can sign up here to receive this insightful newsletter for free.

Speaking of freebies, Countertops & Architectural Surfaces magazine is also apparently giving out free print subscriptions, according to an email that was sent out around the holidays. This is a great printed publication, so you may want to sign up for your free subscription here while they are still giving it away for free! This publication is full of solid information for the countertop pro and well worth reading each quarter (with a 5th Buyers' Guide issue). I know I am an avid reader myself.

And, while definitely not free, another great resource you may want to consider purchasing is the Stone and Tile Field Guide, put out by Stone & Tile Pros. It has a lot of great, expert information, although it is a bit pricey.

Rodding Granite Countertops

Recently, a video showing the process for rodding granite countertops was posted on www.CountertopResource.com, the website for countertop news and information. Admittedly the video is short and simple and shows one company's process (without a ton of detail), but it gets the point across.

In response, one reader posted a link to his own blog post about rodding here. I found the post to be quite insightful. The blogger walks through his own repairs to improper rodding and discusses the troubles that caused it (like using a steel rod that could rust and an improper adhesive) as well as the troubles in fixing it.

The author also shares his opinion that rodding is not really necessary, although I think this is debatable and not everyone would share this opinion. But, certainly if one is to rod along sink cut-outs, it is wise to follow established guidelines that work well.

Kudos for sharing this practical information. It is this sort of sharing between fabricators that can be of great benefit to the industry. Oh to learn from others mistakes...