Radio Stone Update
Radio Stone Update
Changes Sought in CA Fabrication Rules; Coverings '25 Registration Opens Online
00:00 Brought to You By Quantra
00:23 Intro
00:33 Changes Sought in Calif. Fab Silica Rules
02:14 OSHA Seeks Fines in Ala. Slab Death
03:59 A Word from TAB Quartz
05:12 Online Registration Opens for Coverings 2025
07:25 NSI Partnering Pinnacle, Tucker Design Awards
08:49 Cambria Opens Portland, Ore., Facility
09:48 NTCA Names Olson to Ring of Fame
11:21 Armina Stone Sponsors NBA's Miami Heat
12:43 Outro
13:11 Brought to You By Quantra
Radio Stone Update is presented on the second and fourth Wednesdays every month at 9 a.m. everywhere on Earth with the latest news and insights in hard surfaces. Check our archives at www.radiostoneupdate.com.
00:23
Hi, I'm K. Schipper with the latest in hard surfaces industry news from Radio Stone Update.
00:33
Proposed changes to California's workplace safety standards will exempt porcelain and ceramic materials from rules on fabricating manufactured stone products.
The exemption is one of the alterations suggested for the state's rules concerning worker exposure to crystalline silica, along with defining respirator use and certain exemptions for different types of fabrication.
A public comment period on the proposal expires today.
A date for action by California's Occupational Safety and Health Standards Board is yet to be determined. The changes are to the emergency standards on crystalline silica exposure set by the board last year.
The proposed change would take porcelain out of the definition of artificial stone and include the following new phrase “fired ceramic porcelain tiles and panels are not artificial stone.”
The changes also revise the definition of high exposure trigger task. That definition requires fabricators to follow the exposure rules with materials containing crystalline silica.
The changes also exempt what are defined as “tasks other than the fabrication of countertops, backsplashes, walls, flooring, waterfall countertop edges and other products from slabs or panels” if exposure is kept below certain levels.
The proposed change would offer exceptions to using respirators in regulated areas defined by the rules as long as exposures are less than five minutes in an eight-hour time period and silica levels remain under a certain level.
2:14
The federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration – OSHA -- is seeking $29,000 in fines from a Huntsville, Ala., fabrication shop after a fatal accident earlier this year. John Hopper, 32, died after a stone slab fell on him at Huntsville Granite and Marble LLC on March 27.
OSHA investigators blamed the accident on the shop not following federal safety guidelines as the cause of the fatality.
According to the OSHA investigation, employees were using a forklift to take stone slabs off a storage rack when the slab became unsecured and struck Hopper. OSHA found that an improperly secured load and a damaged rigging hook with a missing safety latch contributed to the incident.
In a statement, OSHA noted the company violated federal regulations by:
• Failing to develop and institute safe procedures, including worker training, for moving stone slabs.
• Permitting workers to use a damaged rigging hook missing the safety latch.
• Allowing workers to use worn and damaged security straps.
• Failing to ensure forklift attachments were manufacturer approved.
• And, neglecting to evaluate forklift operators’ performance at least every three years.
A fine of $29,035 is set by federal statute.
“Huntsville Granite and Marble didn’t uphold its duty to keep workers safe,” said OSHA Area Office Director Joel Batiz in Birmingham, Ala. He added that with the right procedures, equipment, and training, this tragedy could have been avoided.
The company had 15 business days from receipt of its citations and penalties to comply, request an informal conference with OSHA’s area director, or contest the findings.
5:12
Online registration for next year’s Coverings show in Orlando is now open. Early sign-up for the event, set for the Orange County Convention Center April 29-May 2, also includes early-bird registration perks and competitive hotel rates.
The biggest perk is the cost for registering now. For attendees, it’s free through the end of this year. On Jan. 1, the fee is $49, and registering on-site at the show will be $99.
Entry to Coverings 2025 includes a comprehensive conference program and international product exhibition with 1,100 global exhibitors offering the latest in tile and stone innovations. Entry will also include admission to show-floor stages, activations, tours, and networking.
Paid registration at Coverings is new in 2025. According to event organizers, paid registration, “reinforces Coverings’ commitment to supporting the tile and stone industry. Proceeds will be reinvested into vital industry initiatives and local Orlando community programs, reflecting Coverings’ ‘By the Industry, For the Industry’ mission.”
That includes supporting numerous industry initiatives, including continuing education, training and certification, trade programs, public relations, research, standards, sustainability efforts and technical publishing.
Complete information regarding Coverings 2025 registration, including details, fees, policies and more, can be found at Coverings.com/2025Registration.
Discount rates at premier hotels near the event are available through onPeak, Coverings’ official hotel partner. Reservations made via onPeak also come with the benefit of free cancellation, provided changes are made 72 hours prior to arrival.
Free shuttle services will be provided for attending guests staying at onPeak hotels slightly farther from the convention center. Prospective Coverings 2025 attendees can learn more and secure their rooms by visiting Coverings.com/hotel.
7:25
The Natural Stone Institute – NSI -- announces that beginning next year, the call for entries for the Tucker Design Awards will be partnered with the Pinnacle Awards program, and both awards will be given annually beginning in 2026.
While Pinnacle Awards are given to NSI member companies, Tucker Design Awards will continue to be given to a project’s design team. Individuals in the design community may still enter their projects for Tucker Design Award consideration. Beginning next year, though, every Tucker Design Award entry must include a Natural Stone Institute member company.
Those entering a project for a Pinnacle Award, regardless of category, may also enter that project for a Tucker Design Award, and a project may win both a Pinnacle and a Tucker Design Award.
A call for entries for the 2025 awards program will be announced early next year. Entries will be due on June 20, 2025. The Pinnacle Award jury, consisting of three industry experts and two design professionals, will determine the winning projects for both awards programs.
The joint awards program will culminate in a combined awards ceremony at StonExpo in 2026 and will provide award-winning design teams an opportunity to engage with natural stone experts. For more information, go to www.naturalstoneinstitute.org/awards.
8:49
Cambria announces the grand opening of its new showroom in the greater Portland, Ore., area. Located on Interstate 5, in Wilsonville, Ore., the new showroom is well positioned for both residential- and commercial-design community demands.
The showroom features a curated selection of Cambria’s design palette, including newly released designs, full slabs and vignettes showcasing kitchen, reception and vertical applications.
Arik Tendler, chief sales officer for the Le Sueur, Minn.-based Cambria, says, “The design community has been asking for this for quite some time. It’s gratifying to see it come to fruition for our customers and their clientele.”
Since entering the quartz business in 2000, Cambria has expanded its presence across North America with more than 30 showrooms, galleries and sales and distribution centers. The new showroom is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.
9:48
The National Tile Contractors Association -- the NTCA -- announces that Jim Olson has been awarded the distinguished NTCA Ring of Honor.
The award is presented to individuals who have demonstrated exceptional dedication, leadership and commitment to both the tile industry and the NTCA. Olson has served as the assistant executive director of the Jackson, Miss.-based organization since 2008.
Olson began in the tile industry in 1983 in sales and branch management for Tile Factory Outlet. He filled similar roles at Rubble Tile, Ceramic Tile International, Tile Shop, MN Tile, and Cole Wholesale Flooring, where he helped establish and manage a tile division.
During his time at MN Tile, Olson worked with Bart Bettiga, the NTCA executive director. Their relationship facilitated Olson joining the NTCA staff and moving to Mississippi with his wife, Mary.
Since joining the NTCA, Olson has filled many positions, leading membership initiatives, overseeing the technical committee, spearheading the training department and contributing to nearly every aspect of NTCA operations.
“Through his work, Jim has met and influenced hundreds of friends, colleagues, and industry leaders, always bringing a personal touch to his professional endeavors,” says Bettiga.
Olson was presented the award at Total Solutions Plus in Boston on Oct. 28, as part of its Awards Luncheon.
11:21
And, Armina Stone has signed a multi-year sponsorship with the NBA’s Miami Heat. The sponsorship runs through June 2027.
The partnership with the three-time NBA champions includes premium hospitality, in-market activations, signage within Kaseya Center, and more.
Emre Basman, the founder of Armina Stone, says, “Our partnership is grounded in a shared commitment to community, and having a meaningful impact. We recognize the passion of South Florida fans and are excited to celebrate with them every step of the way.”
Founded in 2015, the Pittsburgh-based Armina Stone recently opened a 35,000 ft2 gallery and fabrication facility in Hialeah, Fla. Later this year, the Armina brand will open a luxury showroom, Armina Luxe, in the heart of the Miami Design District.
Armina Stone is a natural stone importer and fabricator. A source for granite, marble and quartz countertops, it specializes in the design, fabrication and installation of stone, cabinetry and large slab flooring in both residential and commercial projects.
The company also operates three locations serving Pennsylvania and the Mid-Atlantic Region, and is a partner of the NHL’s Pittsburgh Penguins.
12:43
For the latest in monthly industry import trends, look for Hard Surface Report at www.hardsurfacereport.com. For a transcript of this broadcast, go to www.radiostoneupdate.com.
For Radio Stone Update, I’m K. Schipper, and we’ll see you here again soon.