About OSHA Regulations When Working With Granite

According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), handling -- particularly mishandling -- granite can result in serious injuries and even fatalities. OSHA addresses this concern by instituting guidelines to inform and protect people who work with granite and other types of marble or stone slabs.

Unloading

• Many suppliers provide wooden supports to prevent granite slabs from moving during transport. OSHA warns that employees who remove these supports risk being trapped or crushed when the granite shifts.

Storage

• OSHA says that off-loaded slabs are typically placed in a wooden or metal rack structure. These are generally A-frame structures. Lack of proper restraining devices and standing in the path of a potentially falling slab are the primary dangers that should be avoided.

Handling And Moving

• When moving granite slabs, OSHA states that a crane or forklift, with the proper attachments, should be utilized. Further, an employee should never stand under or near the slab when a crane is lifting it.