Granite and Marble stonemasonry is an ancient and noble profession that is usually passed on from father to son from generation to generation. It is a tough, tiring job that exposes the worker to many physical hazards stemming from the type of material to be worked on and its imposing size.
What does a stonemason do?
The main activity of the stonemason is the modelling of granite and marble stone slabs in laboratories in order to transform them into a finished product. The use of these finished products is quite widespread and, consequently, the amount of work to be carried out on the raw material is definitely extensive. From cutting to sanding and finishing to polishing, the stonemason needs to work the entire slab in order to deliver the finished product.
Each stage of the marble or granite working process presents a different, specific health risk to which the stonemason is exposed. Risks can be due to the inhalation of hazardous substances or to traumas, which, in turn, could be either in the form of bruises and cuts. However, the risks can be mitigated in all of these cases and actually eliminated in some of them through the use of personal protective equipment (PPE) which assist the stonemason to work safely even in highly hazardous environments.
Stonemasonry hazards: PPE
As mentioned, the risks for those who process marble and granite stone are multiple, for example, workers could be injured by slabs slipping and falling on them or they could be wounded during the various cutting operations and so on. In addition, workers are exposed to granite and marble particles which get breathed into the respiratory system during the sanding and polishing processes and settle in the lungs causing diseases which could undermine workers’ health irreversibly in the long term.
The use of personal protective equipment mitigates the consequences such hard work has on workers’ health.
Respiratory Protective devices (RPD) which protect the respiratory system are among the most important PPE available. These are masks or respirators that isolate the nose and mouth from marble or granite particles, blocking them and thus preventing them from depositing in the lungs. The most effective respiratory protective devices in this sector are undoubtedly the powered air purifying respirators equipped with face masks which allow workers to be completely self-sufficient as far as breathing protection is concerned. In fact, the filters purify incoming air and remove all dust particles. Any excess carbon dioxide which develops inside the mask is expelled though a single exhalation valve and this guarantees a continuous, uninterrupted, and functional work cycle without the problems which are usually associated with traditional masks. This way, workers avoid the onset of infections and diseases associated with the accumulation of marble and granite particles inside the lungs.
Other PPE required in this sector are gloves, the use of which should not be underestimated. These should be of a suitable cut-proof material and should also be slip-proof to prevent the heavy marble and granite slaps from slipping. Finally, particular attention should also be paid to shoes that must be reinforced at the toe to prevent traumas to the feet caused by the fall of marble and granite slabs slipping during transport or processing.
Among the Respiratory Protection Devices (RPD) available on the market, one of the most recommended is the Cleanspace2 respirator supplied by KASCO. This is a product certified to international standards that provides filtered air to the inside the mask by means of a powered blower unit with innovative breathe response system. The design is ergonomic, compact, wireless and hose less.
Jul 17 2017
Risks faced by stonemasons? Here’s how to protect oneself
What does a stonemason do?
The main activity of the stonemason is the modelling of granite and marble stone slabs in laboratories in order to transform them into a finished product. The use of these finished products is quite widespread and, consequently, the amount of work to be carried out on the raw material is definitely extensive. From cutting to sanding and finishing to polishing, the stonemason needs to work the entire slab in order to deliver the finished product.
Each stage of the marble or granite working process presents a different, specific health risk to which the stonemason is exposed. Risks can be due to the inhalation of hazardous substances or to traumas, which, in turn, could be either in the form of bruises and cuts. However, the risks can be mitigated in all of these cases and actually eliminated in some of them through the use of personal protective equipment (PPE) which assist the stonemason to work safely even in highly hazardous environments.
Stonemasonry hazards: PPE
As mentioned, the risks for those who process marble and granite stone are multiple, for example, workers could be injured by slabs slipping and falling on them or they could be wounded during the various cutting operations and so on. In addition, workers are exposed to granite and marble particles which get breathed into the respiratory system during the sanding and polishing processes and settle in the lungs causing diseases which could undermine workers’ health irreversibly in the long term.
The use of personal protective equipment mitigates the consequences such hard work has on workers’ health.
Respiratory Protective devices (RPD) which protect the respiratory system are among the most important PPE available. These are masks or respirators that isolate the nose and mouth from marble or granite particles, blocking them and thus preventing them from depositing in the lungs. The most effective respiratory protective devices in this sector are undoubtedly the powered air purifying respirators equipped with face masks which allow workers to be completely self-sufficient as far as breathing protection is concerned. In fact, the filters purify incoming air and remove all dust particles. Any excess carbon dioxide which develops inside the mask is expelled though a single exhalation valve and this guarantees a continuous, uninterrupted, and functional work cycle without the problems which are usually associated with traditional masks. This way, workers avoid the onset of infections and diseases associated with the accumulation of marble and granite particles inside the lungs.
Other PPE required in this sector are gloves, the use of which should not be underestimated. These should be of a suitable cut-proof material and should also be slip-proof to prevent the heavy marble and granite slaps from slipping. Finally, particular attention should also be paid to shoes that must be reinforced at the toe to prevent traumas to the feet caused by the fall of marble and granite slabs slipping during transport or processing.
Among the Respiratory Protection Devices (RPD) available on the market, one of the most recommended is the Cleanspace2 respirator supplied by KASCO. This is a product certified to international standards that provides filtered air to the inside the mask by means of a powered blower unit with innovative breathe response system. The design is ergonomic, compact, wireless and hose less.
By Kasco Srl • Blog •