Online University FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions related to the Online University can be found here. If you cannot find the answer to your question(s), please email Education Coordinator Kristopher Caccamise at kris@naturalstoneinstitute.org

Virtual Quarry Tour: Northern Stone Supply

This one-hour virtual experience will feature an active quarry and allow you to see the stone in its original environment. Discover the history of the quarry, the geological components of the stone, and what makes it unique to this site. Stone professionals will provide technical information concerning stone installation, and you will discover creative applications and opportunities with a designer. Join us and connect with nature’s oldest building material.

Virtual Quarry Tour: Tompkins Bluestone

This one-hour virtual experience will feature an active quarry and allow you to see the stone in its original environment. Discover the history of the quarry, the geological components of the stone, and what makes it unique to this site. Stone professionals will provide technical information concerning stone installation, and you will discover creative applications and opportunities with a designer. Join us and connect with nature’s oldest building material!

Overview of Installation Safety

Course Description

Safety at the installation site is important at all times.  If you don’t pay attention to what protective gear you are wearing and how you go about doing your job in the safest possible manner, you could very well become a statistic.  This module will discuss the variables that make installation job sites different from fabrication facilities safety and identify the most common injuries during the installation process.

Safety- Material Loading and Unloading

Course Description

Preplanning the placement of materials at a jobsite is one of the best ways to secure a safe environment.  This module will discuss the best practices for material loading and unloading.

Requirements for Personal Protective Equipment

Regardless of the installation application, it is critical to wear the right PPE, or Personal Protective Equipment.  This session will help you understand the requirements for PPE.

Large-Scale Commercial Installations

Course Description

Large-scale commercial installation projects create a unique set of safety concerns.  This module will review large-scale commercial installations projects and their inherent hazards.

Identifying Safety Concerns Early in the Process

Course Description

Planning for your installation is important to keeping your team safe.  During this module, we will discuss the safety roles of the pre-installation staff and recognize the variables that should be added to your checklist or job hazard analysis. 

Installation Case Studies

Course Description

Each installation presents unique challenges for the installer.  This module will help you understand the importance of installation safety by showcasing several installation case studies.

Manpower and Equipment

Course Description

One of the stone industries leading producers of stone-moving devices reports that many stone installers have the misinformed opinion that if they use helpful tools to make their job easier, it somehow undermines or negates their strength, making them weak or less able bodied.  This module will focus on the relationship between manpower and equipment and provide viable equipment options for your next installation.

Tile Setting Best Practices

Course Description

Tile setting has a unique set of safety concerns when it comes to working on a jobsite.  This module will help you understand a variety of safety concerns that affect tile setters in both residential and commercial environments.

Safe Slab Handling: Overview

Stone slabs can be unwieldly and dangerous if not handled properly. A typical slab can weigh from 800 to over 1,000 pounds. When grouped together in a bundle of five or six slabs, the weight can go up to 5,000 pounds or more. Gain a better understanding of the safety precautions needed when moving and working with slabs in this introductory course. 

La Seguridad- Manipulación Segura de Losas Lectura de Clase

Al aprender los fundamentos de la manipulación de la losa, es importante entender la dinámica de la losa de piedra y por qué puede ser difícil de manejar y extremadamente peligroso si no se maneja correctamente. Este módulo debatirá las características de la piedra y qué precauciones deben tomarse para asegurar el movimiento seguro de las losas.

Safe Slab Handing: Fall Shadow

The most dangerous area around stone slabs is the fall shadow.  This session will define the fall shadow and discuss what precautions employees and customers should take to ensure their safety when viewing and moving slabs.

No Place for Complacency- Keep Safety Active

This session provides an overview of daily hazards in the stone industry and how to create a safer work environment. By recognizing hazards, identifying common areas of complacency, and reviewing best practices for management, stone companies can work to “keep safety active” and ensure the safety of employees and customers.

Safe Slab Handling: Employee & Customer Training

If a stone shop, showroom, warehouse, or yard is hazardous for trained employees, imagine the hazard to unsuspecting customers.  This session will discuss the potential hazards in a slab yard and how best to mitigate risk for employees and customers.

La Seguridad- Seguridad del Cliente y del Empleado Lectura de Clase

Si un taller de piedra, sala de exposición, almacén o patio es peligroso para los empleados entrenados, ¡imagínese el peligro para los clientes desprevenidos! Esta sesión discutirá los peligros potenciales en un patio de losas y la mejor manera de mitigar el riesgo para los empleados y clientes.

Silicosis: An Industry Guide to Awareness and Prevention

For hundreds of years, silicosis has been a serious occupational health issue for workers in mining, quarrying, stone cutting, stone grinding, and other occupations where crystalline silica dust is generated.  This session will discuss what silicosis is and what measures should be taken to prevent the disease.

Silicosis: Una Guía de la Industria para la Toma de Conciencia

Durante cientos de años, la silicosis ha sido un grave problema de salud para los trabajadores de la minería, las canteras, el corte de piedra, la molienda de piedra y otras ocupaciones en las que se genera polvo de sílice cristalina. En esta sesión se debatirá qué es la silicosis y qué medidas deben adoptarse para prevenir dicha enfermedad.

Safe Slab Handling: Containers

One of the most dangerous activities in the stone industry involves unloading a container of slabs at your place of business.  Because the container holds multiple slabs, there are several opportunities for accidents to happen if the unloading process is not precisely correct.  This session will review the best practices for extracting materials from containers.

La Seguridad- Manipulación Segura de Materiales y Contenedores Lectura de Clase

Una de las actividades más peligrosas en la industria de la piedra implica la descarga de un contenedor de losas en su lugar de negocio. Debido a que el contenedor tiene varias losas hay varias oportunidades para que ocurran accidentes si el proceso de descarga no es precisamente correcto. Este módulo revisará las mejores prácticas para extraer materiales de contenedores.
 

Safe Slab Handling: Flatbed Trucks

When handling slabs in a controlled environment like a warehouse, distribution center, outdoor slab storage yard or fabrication facility, you have the benefit of familiarity both with the environment and associated personnel.  Take the show on the road to another stone facility or job site and it is an entirely different story.  This session will discuss elements you should consider when loading and unloading flatbed trucks at a jobsite or distribution center.

La Seguridad- Manipulación de Materiales y Camiones de Plataforma Lectura de Clase

Al manipular las losas en un ambiente controlado como un almacén, centro de distribución, patio de almacenamiento de losas al aire libre o instalación de fabricación, usted tiene el beneficio de la familiaridad con el medio ambiente y el personal asociado. Muestree otra instalación de piedra o sitio de trabajo y será un cuento totalmente diferente. Esta sesión debatirá los elementos que usted debe considerar al cargar y descargar camiones de plataforma en un sitio de trabajo o centro de distribución.

Safety Excellence with OSHA’s SHARP Program

Learn what OSHA looks for in an overall safety and health management system. Discover how your company can be recognized by OSHA’s Safety & Health Achievement Recognition Program (SHARP). 

Safe Slab Handling: Overhead Cranes

This session covers best practices for crane, hoist, and sling procedures in the stone industry. These procedures have been created to limit your exposure to the hazards associated with overhead cranes, lifting loads, and moving suspended loads. Following the procedures in this course will help prevent serious injuries resulting from overloading, dropping or slipping of the load, obstructing the passage of the load, and using equipment in a manner for which it was not designed by the manufacturer.

La Seguridad- Manipulación de Losas con Grúas Viajeras Lectura de Clase

Esta sección identifica las mejores prácticas para el manejo de las losa con una grúa viajera más los peligros relacionados con la operación de la grúa viajera o aérea.

Silica Exposure & Employee Safety

This course provides an overview of the risk of silicosis and explains how companies can ensure compliance to current OSHA standards. Learn about air monitoring, baseline testing, sampling, and additional testing resources.

Safe Slab Handling: Forklifts

There are two major methods for moving slabs in most stone environments – overhead cranes and forklifts. This session will focus on the do’s and don’ts when moving slabs with forklifts.

La Seguridad- Manipulación de Losas con Montacargas

Hay dos métodos principales para mover las losas en la mayoría de los entornos de piedra - grúas y montacargas. Este módulo educativo se centrará en lo que se debe hacer y lo que no se debe hacer cuando se mueven las losas con montacargas.

Safe Slab Handling: Slings and Clamps

One of the major causes of serious accidents involving natural stone slab handling is faulty equipment.  Making sure that all tools and supplies used in the process are in good working order is the easiest way to control accidents.  This session will review policies for inspecting clamps, slings, cables, nuts, and bolts.

La Seguridad- Manipulación de Losas con Eslingas y Abrazaderas Lectura de Clase

Una de las causas principales de los accidentes graves que se relacionan con la manipulación natural de losas de piedra es el equipamiento defectuoso. Asegurarse de que todas las herramientas y suministros utilizados en el proceso estén en buen estado de funcionamiento es la forma más fácil de controlar los accidentes. Este módulo revisará las políticas para inspeccionar abrazaderas, eslingas, cables, tuercas y pernos.

Creating a Stone Industry Safety Program

This session covers the basics of creating a safety program for your stone company. Review an inspection checklist and safety policies that can help prepare your company for the unexpected. Learn how to create a safety program that incorporates training and recordkeeping to address issues your employees will encounter, including noise and silica exposure.

Implementing a Silica Exposure Control Plan

Every stone fabrication facility is required by OSHA to have a Silica Exposure Control Plan (ECP). This course is designed to help stone companies create and implement a Silica ECP and highlight available resources. 

OSHA Voluntary On-Site Consultation

This course provides an overview of the OSHA On-Site Consultation Program and explains how to use this program to monitor employee silica exposure. Review perceived myths about OSHA and discover how OSHA truly conducts their inspections. Learn how to create a plan to measure employee silica exposure at your facility.

Tool Box Talk- Safe Work Procedures: Shortcuts (Quarry)

True or False? Nearly everyone we know uses shortcuts to get the job done.  Answer: Generally yes.  Even though we all use shortcuts in our daily routines, we must be aware of the dangers that shortcuts expose us to. There are two ways to work. Often the safe way is not the fastest or easiest way.

Tool Box Talk- Safe Work Procedures: Teamwork (Quarry)

Teamwork is a cooperative or coordinated effort by a group of persons working together as a team in the pursuit of a common cause. Safety is our common cause. Safety procedures are developed from the combined experience of people working in conditions like yours. There is no regulation or law enforcing working as a team – but personnel records will show how well you play with others!

Tool Box Talk- Eye and Face Safety and PPE Overview (Quarry)

MSHA requires employers to require employees to wear eye and face protection from flying particles, molten metal, liquid chemicals, acids or caustic liquids and other hazardous chemicals, chemical gases or vapors, or potentially injurious light radiation. Over 1000 eye and face injuries occur in the workplace every day. According to OSHA, these injuries cost more than $300 million per year in lost production time, medical expenses, and worker compensation. Many of these injuries result in severe pain and suffering with some resulting in partial or total blindness. Eye and face injuries can be prevented if the hazards are recognized and with the proper selection and use of eye and face protection.

Tool Box Talk- PPE Foot Protection Overview (Quarry)

Description:
MSHA requires workers to use protective footwear when working in areas where there is a danger of foot injuries due to falling or rolling objects, or objects piercing the sole, or when the use of protective footwear will protect the affected employee from an electrical hazard, such as a static-discharge or electric-shock hazard. Additionally, protective footwear may be required to protect against other hazards, e.g., wet conditions and exposure to chemicals.

Tool Box Talk- PPE Hand and Arm Safety (Quarry)

MSHA requires employers to select and require employees to use appropriate hand protection when employees’ hands are exposed to hazards such as those from skin absorption of harmful substances; severe cuts or lacerations; severe abrasions; punctures; chemical burns; thermal burns; and harmful temperature extremes. This applies equally to the arms. Over 100,000 lost time hand and arm injuries typically occur every year in the workplace. Hand and arm injuries can be prevented if the hazards are recognized and with the proper selection and use of hand and arm protection.

Tool Box Talk- PPE Head Protection Overview (Quarry)

MSHA requires head protection if there is a risk from falling objects or there is a risk from contact with live electrical conductors. Many hazards can be controlled with proper work practices and personal protective equipment (PPE). Wearing appropriate head protection can prevent serious injuries.

Tool Box Talk- Hearing Conservation Overview (Quarry)

Repeated exposure to elevated levels of noise can cause hearing loss. Once it occurs, hearing loss is permanent and cannot be reversed. MSHA requires employers to evaluate noise level exposures in the workplace. If exposure exceeds the Action Level of 85 dBA/8-hour time weighted average (TWA), the miner must be enrolled in a hearing conservation program and offered hearing protection. If the permissible exposure level (PEL) exceeds 90 dBA/8-hour time weighted average then hearing protection use is mandatory. Noise induced hearing loss can be prevented. Use of hearing protection is equally applicable at home as it is in the workplace.

Tool Box Talk- Equipment Maintenance (Quarry)

Properly maintaining, repairing, cleaning, and storing construction equipment can help prevent injuries and deaths. It is not only important to perform proper maintenance for the sake of the equipment, but this can prove helpful for the individuals using the equipment.

Tool Box Talk- Lockout... Tagout... Tryout! (Quarry)

Ensuring equipment is at a zero energy state and the energy source isolated or rendered inoperative so that the energy source cannot be re-energized is a necessary and required life critical process when performing equipment servicing and maintenance. Lockout/tagout is required when the servicing and maintaining machines and equipment and the unexpected energization or startup of the machines or equipment, or release of stored energy, could harm employees. Servicing or maintenance activities include constructing, installing, setting up, adjusting, inspecting, and modifying machines or equipment. Specific activities include but are not limited to lubricating, cleaning or unjamming machines and making adjustments or tool changes.

Tool Box Talk- Getting On and Off Equipment (Quarry)

Quarriers use many different types of mobile equipment in their daily operations. Workers should be trained in the proper use, including mounting and dismounting, prior to utilizing equipment. It is important to know the locations of stairs and ladders for climbing as well as handles and bars for gripping. Failing to maintain three points of contact with the equipment has resulted in numerous injuries. The three points of contact rule is simple —always maintain one hand and two feet, or two hands and one foot, when climbing or descending ladders, trucks and equipment. When climbing a ladder, you must have both hands free and face the ladder.

Tool Box Talk- Suspended Loads (Quarry)

The law of gravity cannot be amended or changed. However what goes up needn’t come down, at least not on top of anyone. When lifting loads by way of a hoist, crane, or even a set of come-a-longs, keep these thoughts from this session in mind.

Tool Box Talk- Heat Illness Prevention (Quarry)

Description:
Heat is a serious hazard in the workplace. Heat related illness if not attended to can lead to serious and life-threatening injuries.

Tool Box Talk- What is Crystalline Silica? (Quarry)

Over- exposure to respirable crystalline silica particles can lead to serious, sometimes fatal illnesses including silicosis, lung cancer, tuberculosis (in those with silicosis), and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). In addition, silica exposure has been linked to other illnesses including renal disease and other cancers. Silicosis is a progressive disease and there is no cure upon its onset, thus minimizing your exposure to respirable crystalline silica is the key to prevention.

Tool Box Talk- Fire, Flammable Liquids, and Fire Extinguishers (Quarry)

Fire safety rules are so commonplace that many of us have become indifferent toward them. This lack of personal interest has been responsible for many fires and on-the job accidents.

Tool Box Talk- Compressed Air Safety (Quarry)

Compressed air as it name implies is gas under pressure. If used improperly, compressed air poses several hazards and can even cause death.

Tool Box Talk- Chain Hoist and Come-a-longs (Quarry)

Whatever the name – come-a-long, chain fall, ratcheting chain lever, etc. – hand operated hoists and their chains have many applications in our work. Typical applications include hoisting pipe or a plate into position for welding or bolting, moving machinery, fence stretching and lifting engines or equipment during repairs. These devices are simple to operate however misuse can result in sudden failure, property damage, and serious injury. Today we are going to briefly cover their proper use.

Tool Box Talk- Crystalline Silica Exposure Prevention (Quarry)

Exposure to crystalline silica often occurs as part of common workplace operations involving cutting, sawing, drilling, grinding/sanding and crushing of natural and engineered stone products such as granite and slate and also in the quarrying of these materials. Over-exposure can lead to serious, sometimes fatal illnesses including silicosis, lung cancer, tuberculosis (in those with silicosis) and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The best method to prevent a crystalline silica exposure related disease is to minimize exposure to crystalline silica.

Tool Box Talk- Hand Tools, Striking Tools, Pry Bars (Quarry)

Hand tools are tools that are powered manually. Hand tools include anything from axes to wrenches. Hand tool operation influences the daily lives of all workers. The greatest hazards posed by hand tools result from misuse and improper maintenance. As a result, it is necessary that everyone be aware of safe hand tool practices and follows those practices. Without the use of hand tools, the completion of our work would be nearly impossible. Yet, as vital as they are, hand tools are often the cause of serious accidents. All too frequently, hand tools are used improperly or when they are defective. Since we use hand tools continually, it is important they be used properly. We are going to briefly cover proper use today.

Tool Box Talk- Wire Saw Safety Module (Quarry)

Operating a wire saw is a specialized task that can be safely performed only with adequate training and experience. Wire saw operators are also responsible for basic upkeep of the machine and safety in its operation.

Job Description: A wire saw operator uses a wire saw machine to cut large blocks of stone out from the quarry.  Wire saw machines are large machines that use diamond-impregnated beads on a cable to cut through various types of stone. Wire saws are also used for squaring blocks of stone before transporting them to the production plant.

Tool Box Talk- Quarry Slab Tipping Safety (Quarry)

Stone slabs (aka ‘loaves’) are separated from the quarry wall and shelf by a method known as tipping.  Slab tipping is a specialized task that can be safely performed after adequate training.  Slab tipping is accomplished by inserting a specialized wedge (e.g., piston jacks, metal cushions filled with compressed water) into the saw gap to open it enough so the slab can be pushed from above or pulled from below by machine onto a bed of rubble previously prepared on the quarry floor. At this point the loaf is sub-divided into blocks that meet the customer’s size and characteristics requirements.  Prevent the movement of stone during secondary cutting operations.  Material to be cut, other than hanging material, must be positioned or blocked to prevent movement which would endanger persons in the work area. Secondary segregation must be performed from a location which would not expose persons to danger.

Tool Box Talk- Portable Electric Power Tool Safety (Quarry)

Because power tools are so common in our industry, you are constantly exposed to a variety of hazards. The very tool that makes your job easy and efficient may one day be the cause of a tragic accident.

Tool Box Talk- Operating Service Pickup Trucks (Quarry)

Pickup trucks are everywhere. Everybody has one. Consumer Reports magazine recently asked (FEB 2018), “Are Pickup Trucks Becoming the New Family Car?” So what so different about driving them in and around a quarry? As pickup trucks move through mines and plants, they encounter the pace of activity, heavy equipment, workers on foot, and volumes of materials, and numerous hazards. Safe operation of pickup trucks on mine sites must be everyone’s concern

Tool Box Talk- Ramp and Dumping Facilities (Quarry)

Safely working in the area of any heavy equipment requires the shared responsibility of both the equipment operator and their coworkers. This can even apply to pedestrians traveling on the road. The hazards do not go away when the equipment leaves the project or facility.

Tool Box Talk- Aerial Lifts and Elevated Platforms (Quarry)

Aerial lifts and elevated platforms provide you with a quick, easy way to accesselevated work areas. Used safely, they increase efficiency and reduce costs. Unsafe use canresult in serious accidents or death.

Tool Box Talk- General Welding Safety (Quarry)

Health hazards from welding, cutting, and brazing operations include exposures to metal fumes and to ultraviolet (UV) radiation. Safety hazards from these operations include burns, eye damage, electrical shock, cuts, and crushed toes and fingers. Many of these can be controlled with proper work practices and personal protective equipment (PPE).

Tool Box Talk- Fall Arrest System Regulations (Quarry)

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and the Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) are Department of Labor agencies. MSHA regulates roughly 12,000 mining and processing locations. OSHA regulates employers everywhere else. Some federal funds support optional state OSHA approved programs. In California, the Department of Occupational Safety and Health inspects mines, but it uses non-federal funds for this activity. States may enforce mine safety but they cannot contradict MSHA.

The authority of the two agencies is mutually exclusive. Occasionally, mine inspectors will claim a right to inspect a location not previously considered a mine. Similarly, OSHA inspectors may claim jurisdiction at a site MSHA regulates. In order to minimize jurisdictional conflicts, MSHA and OSHA signed a memorandum of understanding in 1979 whereby the two agencies designated which types of facilities are and are not mines. 

However, the agreement did not anticipated every situation. There are frequent occasions when the law, agency policy and legal decisions must be consulted to evaluate which agency has jurisdiction.

Likewise, the laws and regulations of each agency are different. Both agencies have extensive rules to prevent injuries, but the approach and requirements for each are distinct.

Tool Box Talk- Highwall Management & Use of Drones (Quarry)

Unexpected rock movement can cause injuries, endanger lives, and can potentially result in a mine catastrophe. Even relatively shallow quarries can experience devastating consequences from slope failure. Using drones can help monitor conditions.

Exposure to cracks and seams are common to natural stone mining operations. Strict evaluation of the structural integrity of the stone deposit should be made before entering an area. The entire crew shares this responsibility (see something, say something). Auditing and team work combined with pre-shift workplace examinations are the tools that everyone needs to utilize in "following the cracks" to avoid the hazard of falling rock.

Tool Box Talk- Accident Prevention Basics

Accidents are caused by many factors. Many of these factors are within our direct control as we perform our jobs each day. This tool box talk will facilitate a discussion on accident prevention.

Target Audience: Fabricators, Installers, Stone Distributors, Quarriers

Charla de Caja de Herramientas-Información Básica Sobre la Prevención de Accidentes

Los accidentes son causados por muchos factores. Muchos de estos factores están bajo nuestro control directo mientras ejecutamos nuestros trabajos cada día. Enfocarnos sobre estos factores puede ayudar a prevenir accidentes.

Tool Box Talk- Basic First Aid Summary

Personnel who have received approved first aid/CPR/AED training are a key element of a site’s injury response program. Receiving proper first aid/CPR can minimize the extent of injuries and even save your life.  This safety meeting will cover only basic first aid instructions. Your workplace may have a trained, designated first response team. However, by reviewing these procedures, you will be better prepared to help if one of your co-workers gets injured on the job. In severe injury or life-threatening situations or if you are unsure, always call for 911 emergency services to request emergency medical assistance.

Target Audience: Fabricators, Installers, Stone Distributors, Quarriers

Charla de Caja de Herramientas- Resumen de Primeros Auxilios Básicos

El personal que ha recibido entrenamiento en los Primeros Auxilios / RCP / AED es un elemento clave en el programa de respuesta a las lesiones en el sitio. Recibir los Primeros Auxilios / RCP puede minimizar la extensión de las lesiones e incluso, podría salvarle la vida.

Esta reunión de seguridad cubrirá solamente las instrucciones básicas de los Primeros Auxilios. Su lugar de trabajo puede que tenga un equipo de primera respuesta debidamente designado y entrenado. Sin embargo, con la revisión de estos procedimientos usted estará mejor preparado para ayudar si uno de sus colegas resulta herido en el trabajo. Ante lesiones graves o en situaciones que pongan en peligro la vida, siempre llame al servicio de emergencia para requerir asistencia medical inmediata.

Tool Box Talk- Basic Injury Response

An industrial injury requires prompt and responsible action to help the affected employees. To ensure, you are prepared, knowledge of basic injury response rules is required.

In this safety meeting immediate response requirements will be discussed. When someone in your workplace is injured, seconds counts. By knowing these injury response requirements, you will be better prepared should one of your coworkers is injured on the job.

Target Audience: Fabricators, Installers, Stone Distributors, Quarriers

Charla de Caja de Herramientas- Respuesta a las Lesiones Básicas

Una lesión industrial requiere una acción rápida y responsable para ayudar a los trabajadores afectados. Para asegurar que usted está preparado, se requiere el conocimiento de las reglas de respuesta a las lesiones básicas.  En esta reunión de seguridad serán debatidos los requisitos de respuesta inmediata. Cuando alguien en su lugar de trabajo es lesionado, los segundos cuentan. Al conocer estos requisitos de respuesta a las lesiones, usted estará mejor preparado en el caso de que uno de tus compañeros de trabajo sea herido en su trabajo.

Tool Box Talk- Body Protection PPE Overview

Body protection can minimize exposure to materials in the workplace as well as protect against other hazards.  It can be as simple as normal work attire, e.g., uniform, or other protective clothing.

Target Audience: Fabricators, Installers, Stone Distributors, Quarriers

Charla de Caja de Herramientas- Descripción General de Protección Corporal / Uso de EPP

La protección del cuerpo puede minimizar la exposición a materiales en el lugar de trabajo, así como proteger contra otros peligros. Puede ser tan simple como un atuendo de trabajo normal, por ejemplo, un uniforme, u otra ropa de protección.

Tool Box Talk- Eyes and Face Safety and PPE Overview

OSHA requires employers to require employees to wear eye and face protection from flying particles, molten metal, liquid chemicals, acids or caustic liquids and other hazardous chemicals, chemical gases or vapors, or potentially injurious light radiation. Over 1000 eye and face injuries occur in the workplace every day. According to OSHA, these injuries cost more than $300 million per year in lost production time, medical expenses, and worker compensation. Many of these injuries result in severe pain and suffering with some resulting in partial or total blindness. Eye and face injuries can be prevented if the hazards are recognized and with the proper selection and use of eye and face protection. 

Target Audience: Fabricators, Installers, Stone Distributors, Quarriers

Charla de Caja de Herramientas- Seguridad de los Ojos y la Cara y el Uso del EPP

La OSHA requiere de los empleadores imponer a sus empleados que lleven protección para los ojos y la cara contra las partículas volantes, metal fundido, líquidos químicos, ácidos o líquidos cáusticos y otros productos químicos peligrosos, gases o vapores químicos o radiación luminosa potencialmente dañina. Más de 1,000 lesiones a los ojos y la cara suceden en el lugar de trabajo cada día. Según la OSHA, estas lesiones están costando más de US $300 millones al año en pérdida de tiempo de producción, gastos médicos y compensación a los trabajadores. Muchas de estas lesiones resultan algunas en dolor severo y sufrimiento terminando en ceguera parcial o total. Las lesiones a los ojos y la cara pueden ser prevenidas si los peligros son reconocidos y con la selección correcta de la protección para los ojos y la cara. https://www.osha.gov/SLTC/etools/eyeandface/index.html.

Tool Box Talk- Foot Protection PPE Overview

OSHA requires workers to use protective footwear when working in areas where there is a danger of foot injuries due to falling or rolling objects, or objects piercing the sole, or when the use of protective footwear will protect the affected employee from an electrical hazard, such as a static-discharge or electric-shock hazard. Additionally, protective footwear may be required to protect against other hazards, e.g., wet conditions and exposure to chemicals.

Target Audience: Fabricators, Installers, Stone Distributors, Quarriers

Charla de Caja de Herramientas- Protección y EPP para los Pies

La OSHA requiere que los trabajadores usen calzado de protección cuando están trabajando en áreas donde hay el peligro de lesiones a los pies causadas por la caída o rodadura de objetos u objetos que pueden perforar la suela o si el uso de protección para los pies va a proteger al empleado contra un peligro eléctrico como una descarga estática o un choque eléctrico. Adicionalmente, el calzado protector puede ser requerido para la
protección contra otros peligros como condiciones húmedas y la exposición a los productos químicos.

Tool Box Talk- Hand and Arm Safety and PPE Overview

OSHA requires employers to select and require employees to use appropriate hand protection when employees’ hands are exposed to hazards such as those from skin absorption of harmful substances; severe cuts or lacerations; severe abrasions; punctures; chemical burns; thermal burns; and harmful temperature extremes. This applies equally to the arms. Over 100,000 lost time hand and arm injuries typically occur every year in the workplace. Hand and arm injuries can be prevented if the hazards are recognized and with the proper selection and use of hand and arm protection.

Target Audience: Fabricators, Installers, Stone Distributors, Quarriers

Charla de Caja de Herramientas- Seguridad para las Manos, los Brazos y el Uso de EPP

La OSHA requiere que los empleadores seleccionen e impongan a los empleados el uso de protección apropiada para las manos cuando las manos del empleado estén expuestas a peligros tales como la absorción de sustancias nocivas por la piel; cortes graves o laceraciones; abrasiones severas; punciones; quemaduras químicas; quemaduras térmicas y temperatura extremas dañosas. Esto se aplica igualmente a los brazos. Más de 100,000 pérdidas de tiempo causadas por lesiones a las manos y los brazos suelen ocurrir cada año en el lugar de trabajo. Las lesiones a las manos y a los brazos pueden ser prevenidas si los peligros son reconocidos y con la selección correcta y uso de protección para las manos y los brazos.

Tool Box Talk- Head Protection PPE Overview

OSHA requires head protection if there is a risk from falling objects or there is a risk from contact with live electrical conductors. Wearing appropriate head protection can prevent serious injuries.

Target Audience: Fabricators, Installers, Stone Distributors, Quarriers

Charla de Caja de Herramientas- Protección para la Cabeza

La OSHA requiere la protección de la cabeza si hay el riesgo de caídas de objetos o si hay el riesgo de contacto con conductores eléctricos vivos. El uso de protección apropiada para la cabeza puede prevenir lesiones graves.

Tool Box Talk- Hearing Conservation Overview

Repeated exposure to elevated levels of noise can cause hearing loss. Once it occurs, hearing loss is permanent and cannot be reversed. OSHA requires employers to evaluate noise level exposures in the workplace and if exposure exceeds 85 dBA/8-hour time weighted average to have a written hearing conservation program and offer hearing protection to its employees. If exposures exceed 90 dBA/8-hour time weighted average then hearing protection use is mandatory. Noise induced hearing loss can be prevented. Use of hearing protection is equally applicable at home as it is in the workplace.

Target Audience: Fabricators, Installers, Stone Distributors, Quarriers

Charla de Caja de Herramientas- Conservación de la Audición

La exposición repetida a niveles elevados de ruido pueden causar la pérdida de la audición. Una vez que ocurra, la pérdida de la audición es permanente y no puede revertirse. La OSHA requiere que los empleadores evalúen los niveles de exposición al ruido en el lugar de trabajo y, si la exposición excede el promedio ponderado de 85 dBA/ por 8 horas, tener un programa de conservación para la audición y ofrecer protección para el oído a sus empleados. Si la exposición excede el promedio ponderado de 90 dBA/por 8 horas entonces el uso de protección para el oído es obligatorio. La pérdida de audición inducida por el ruido puede ser prevenida. El uso de protección para la audición es igualmente aplicable tanto en el hogar como en el lugar de trabajo.

Tool Box Talk- Respiratory Protection Overview

Feasible engineering controls and administrative controls are required by employers to reduce employee’s exposures to airborne hazardous substances below applicable exposure limits. When engineering controls such as dust collection and point of use ventilation and/or  administrative controls are not practical or do not reduce exposures below applicable exposure limits, respiratory protection may be used.

Target Audience: Fabricators, Installers, Stone Distributors, Quarriers

Charla de Caja de Herramientas- Protección Respiratoria

Se requieren controles factibles de ingeniería y administración para reducir las exposiciones de los empleados a sustancias peligrosas transportadas por el aire por debajo de los límites pertinentes de exposición. Cuando los controles de ingeniería tales como la eliminación de polvo y el punto de uso de ventilación / o controles administrativos no son prácticos o no reducen la exposición por debajo de los límites pertinentes, se puede utilizar protección respiratoria.

Tool Box Talk- Closed-Top Container Unloading Safety Overview

The following slab-handling safety guidelines have been carefully developed and used in the handling of millions of slabs.  Used in tandem with your own company’s operating and safety procedures, they can help safeguard your well-being and protect other workers and customers who visit your facility.

Target Audience: Fabricators, Installers, Stone Distributors, Quarriers

Charla de Caja de Herramientas- Seguridad en la descarga de contenedores de techo cerrado:

Las siguientes pautas de seguridad sobre el manejo de las losas han sido cuidadosamente desarrolladas y utilizadas en la manipulación de millones de losas. Utilizándolas de conjunto con los procedimientos operativos y de seguridad de su propia empresa pueden ayudarle a salvaguardar su bienestar y proteger a otros trabajadores y clientes que visiten sus instalaciones

Tool Box Talk- Confined Space Hazards Overview

Entry into confined spaces poses many hazards and can result in serious injury and death if performed without the proper training, equipment and procedures.

Target Audience: Fabricators, Installers, Stone Distributors, Quarriers

Charla de Caja de Herramientas- Peligros en Espacios Confinados

Entrar en los espacios confinados presenta muchos peligros y puede resultar en lesiones graves e incluso la muerte si se hace sin el entrenamiento, equipo y procedimientos correctos.

Tool Box Talk- Control of Hazardous Energy (Lockout/Tagout) Overview

Ensuring equipment is at a zero energy state and the energy source isolated or rendered inoperative so that the energy source cannot be re-energized is a necessary and required life critical process when performing equipment servicing and maintenance. Lockout/tagout is required when the servicing and maintaining machines and equipment and the unexpected energization or startup of the machines or equipment, or release of stored energy, could harm employees. Servicing or maintenance activities include constructing, installing, setting up, adjusting, inspecting, and modifying machines or equipment. Specific activities include but are not limited to lubricating, cleaning or unjamming machines and making adjustments or tool changes.

Target Audience: Fabricators, Installers, Stone Distributors, Quarriers

Charla de Caja de Herramientas- Control de Energía Peligrosa (bloqueo / etiquetado)

Asegurarse que el equipamiento está en un estado cero de energía y que la fuente de la energía está aislada o inutilizable de manera que la fuente de la energía no pueda ser re-energizada constituye un proceso necesario así como vital y requerido cuando se realiza el mantenimiento y el servicio de equipamiento. El Bloqueo / etiquetado hace falta durante el servicio y mantenimiento de las máquinas y equipamientos y la inesperada energización o puesta en marcha de las maquinas o equipamientos o la liberación de energía almacenada, podría perjudicar o herir a empleados. Las actividades de servicio o mantenimiento incluyen la construcción, instalación, configuración, ajuste e inspección o modificación de máquinas o equipamientos. Las actividades específicas incluyen, pero no están limitadas a, lubricación, limpieza o desbloqueo de las máquinas y realización de ajustes o cambios de herramientas.

Tool Box Talk- Electrical Safety Basics

Contact with electrical energy can cause serious injuries such as burns and shock and even death (electrocution).  You can prevent contact with electrical energy if you understand and follow basic electrical safety guidelines.

Target Audience: Fabricators, Installers, Stone Distributors, Quarriers

Charla de Caja de Herramientas- Principios Básicos de Seguridad Eléctrica

El contacto con la energía eléctrica puede causar lesiones graves como quemaduras, impactos eléctricos e incluso la muerte (electrocución). Usted puede prevenir el contacto con la energía eléctrica si comprende y sigue las pautas básicas de la seguridad eléctrica.

Tool Box Talk- Hazard Communication Overview

OSHA requires all employers with hazardous chemicals in their workplaces to prepare and implement a written hazard communication program, and must ensure that all containers are labeled, employees are provided access to safety data sheets (SDS’s), and an effective training program is conducted for all potentially exposed employees.

Target Audience: Fabricators, Installers, Stone Distributors, Quarriers

Charla de Caja de Herramientas- Comunicación de los Peligros

La OSHA requiere que todos los empleadores que tienen productos químicos peligrosos en su lugar de trabajo preparen e implementen un programa de comunicación de los peligros y tienen que asegurar que todos los contenedores están etiquetados, que los empleados tengan acceso a las hojas de datos de seguridad y que un programa de entrenamiento efectivo se realice para todos los empleados que puedan potencialmente estar expuestos.

Tool Box Talk- Rotating Equipment Safety Overview

Rotating equipment poses a hazard of being entanglement. Entanglement occurs when a body part is drawn into the rotating part of a machine or tool. This includes fixed and portable machines and tools including, saws, drills, milling machines, grinders, conveyor belts, pulleys and gear sprockets. OSHA records show that in the six years between January 1, 2006, and December 31, 2011, 389 workers were injured when their clothing, gloves, jewelry, or hair was caught by moving equipment or machinery parts. The injuries proved fatal for forty-eight of these workers.

Target Audience: Fabricators, Installers, Stone Distributors, Quarriers

Charla de Caja de Herramientas- Uso de Equipo de Rotación

El equipo de rotación presenta el peligro de entrelazamiento. El entrelazamiento sucede cuando una parte del cuerpo se introduce en la parte que gira de la maquina o herramienta. Esto incluye máquinas y herramientas fijas y portátiles incluyendo sierras, taladros, fresadoras, rectificadoras, cintas transportadoras, poleas y ruedas dentadas del engranaje. Los registros de OSHA demuestran que en los seis años entre el primero de enero de 2006 y el 31 de diciembre de 2011, 359 trabajadores fueron heridos cuando su ropa, guantes, joyas o pelo fueron capturados en el equipo o las partes de la maquinaria

Tool Box Talk- Stone Cutter or Splitter Safety Overview

Stone cutters and splitters use saw blades or hydraulic force to cut or split stone. If used improperly, serious injuries can occur.

Target Audience: Fabricators, Installers, Stone Distributors, Quarriers

Charla de Caja de Herramientas- Uso de Cortadores y Divisores de Piedra

Los cortadores y divisores de piedra utilizan hojas de sierra o fuerza hidráulica para cortar o dividir la piedra. Si seusan incorrectamente pueden ocurrir lesiones graves.

Tool Box Talk- Accident Prevention (Intermediate)

Accidents can result in personal injuries and damaged equipment and inventory. The most common accidents involve material handling tasks. Some accidents begin with unsafe actions performed in unsafe situations or hazardous conditions.

Target Audience: Fabricators, Installers, Stone Distributors, Quarriers

Charla de Caja de Herramientas- Prevención de los Accidentes

Los accidentes pueden resultar en lesiones personales y equipo e inventario dañado. Los accidentes más frecuentes involucran tareas de manipulación manual de material. Algunos accidentes empiezan con acciones inseguras realizadas en situaciones inseguras o condiciones peligrosas.

Tool Box Talk- Heat Illness Prevention

Heat is a serious hazard in the workplace. Heat related illness if not attended to can lead to serious and life-threatening injuries.

Target Audience: Fabricators, Installers, Stone Distributors, Quarriers

Charla de Caja de Herramientas- Prevención de las Enfermedades Causadas por el Calor

El calor es un peligro muy grave en el lugar de trabajo. Las enfermedades relacionadas con el calor, si no se atienden, pueden causar lesiones graves y potencialmente mortales.

Tool Box Talk- What is Crystalline Silica?

Over- exposure to respirable crystalline silica particles can lead to serious, sometimes fatal illnesses including silicosis, lung cancer, tuberculosis (in those with silicosis), and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). In addition, silica exposure has been linked to other illnesses including renal disease and other cancers. Silicosis is a progressive disease and there is no cure upon its onset, thus minimizing your exposure to respirable crystalline silica is the key to prevention.

Charla de Caja de Herramientas- ¿Qué es la Sílice Cristalina?

La sobreexposición a partículas de la sílice cristalina respirable puede conducir a graves, a veces fatales, enfermedades incluyendo la silicosis, cáncer del pulmón, tuberculosis (en los que tienen silicosis) y la enfermedad pulmonar obstructiva crónica (EPOC). Adicionalmente, la exposición a la sílice ha sido relacionada con otras enfermedades, incluyendo la enfermedad renal y otros tipos de cáncer. La silicosis es una enfermedad progresiva y no existe cura una vez que la enfermedad se instala, por lo que la minimización de su exposición a la sílice cristalina respirable es fundamental en la prevención.

Tool Box Talk- Battery Safety

Battery powered equipment with rechargeable batteries is commonplace in modern stone shop and warehouse operations. An example is a battery powered forklift. Battery power has advantages over other types of fuel most notably it doesn’t generate carbon monoxide from the burning of fossil fuels. In recent years, many accidents have occurred where employees were injured during charging, installing, removing, or maintaining batteries.

Target Audience: Fabricators, Installers, Stone Distributors, Quarriers

Charla de Caja de Herramientas- Seguridad con la Batería

El equipamiento alimentado por baterías con pilas recargables es común en el taller de la piedra moderno y en las operaciones de almacén. Un ejemplo es el montacargas alimentado por batería. La energía de batería ofrece ventajas comparadas con otros tipos de energía, sobre todo, no genera monóxido de carbono por la combustión de combustibles fósiles. En los últimos años han ocurrido muchos accidentes donde los trabajadores fueron heridos durante la carga, instalación, eliminación o mantenimiento de baterías.

Tool Box Talk- Cargo Dock Safety

Warehouse accidents result in personal injuries, damaged equipment, and destroyed inventory.  The most common warehouse accidents involve forklifts and manual material handling.

Target Audience: Fabricators, Installers, Stone Distributors, Quarriers

Charla de Caja de Herramientas- Seguridad en el Uso del Muelle de Carga

Los accidentes en el almacén resultan en lesiones personales, equipo dañado e inventario destruido. Los accidentes más comunes en el almacén involucran el uso de montacargas y la manipulación manual de materiales.

Tool Box Talk- Chemical Handling and Storage Safety

https://edu.naturalstoneinstitute.org/education/catalog/detail.cfm?id=149Chemicals are routinely used in the workplace. Their safe use and storage can prevent accidents.

Target Audience: Fabricators, Installers, Stone Distributors, Quarriers

Charla de Caja de Herramientas- Manipulación de productos químicos y seguridad de almacenamiento

Los productos químicos son utilizados rutinariamente en el puesto de trabajo. Su uso y almacenamiento seguros pueden prevenir accidentes.

Tool Box Talk- Compressed Air Safety

Compressed air as it name implies is gas under pressure. If used improperly, compressed air poses several hazards and can even cause death.

Target Audience: Fabricators, Installers, Stone Distributors, Quarriers

Charla de Caja de Herramientas- Uso de Aire Comprimido

El aire comprimido, como lo indica su nombre, es un gas a presión. Si se usa incorrectamente, el aire comprimido plantea varios peligros y puede causar hasta la muerte.

Tool Box Talk- Crane and Hoist Safety- General Requirements

Using cranes and hoists to move large and/or heavy objects is commonplace in industry. Following safe operating methods and procedures can prevent property damage and injuries to crane users and surrounding personnel.

Target Audience: Fabricators, Installers, Stone Distributors, Quarriers

Charla de Caja de Herramientas- Uso de Grúas y Malacates – Requerimientos Generales

El uso de grúas y malacates para mover objetos grandes y / o pesados es algo común en la industria. El seguimiento de métodos y procedimientos de seguridad puede prevenir daños materiales y lesiones a los usuarios de grúas y otros trabajadores que estén alrededor.

Toolbox Talk: Crystalline Silica Exposure Prevention

Exposure to crystalline silica often occurs as part of common workplace operations involving cutting, sawing, drilling, grinding/sanding and crushing of natural and engineered stone products such as granite and slate and also in the quarrying of these materials. Over-exposure can lead to serious, sometimes fatal illnesses including silicosis, lung cancer, tuberculosis (in those with silicosis) and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The best method to prevent a crystalline silica exposure related disease is to minimize exposure to crystalline silica.

Target Audience: Fabricators, Installers, Stone Distributors, Quarriers

Charla de Caja de Herramientas- Prevención de la Exposición a la Sílice Cristalina

La frecuente exposición a la sílice cristalina se produce como parte de las operaciones que implican el corte, aserrado, taladrado, rectificado / lijado y trituración de productos de piedras naturales y artificiales como el granito y la pizarra y también en la extracción de estos materiales. La exposición excesiva puede conducir a enfermedades graves y a veces fatales incluyendo la silicosis, cáncer del pulmón, tuberculosis (en aquellos con silicosis) y la enfermedad pulmonar obstructiva crónica (EPOC). La mejor forma de prevenir una enfermedad relacionada con la exposición a la sílice cristalina es minimizar la exposición a la sílice cristalina.

Tool Box Talk- Cutting Hand Tool Safety

Cutting hand tools are commonplace in the work environment. They are used to severe materials like plastic strapping and for cutting open containers. Statistics show that cutting hand tools cause more disabling injuries than any other type of hand tool. Injuries from cutting hand tools can be prevented if appropriate proper safety measures are taken.

Target Audience: Fabricators, Installers, Stone Distributors, Quarriers

Charla de Caja de Herramientas- Uso de Herramientas Manuales de Corte

Las herramientas manuales de corte son comunes en el ambiente del trabajo. Son utilizadas para cortar materiales como flejes de plástico y en la apertura de los contenedores. Las estadísticas muestran que las herramientas manuales de corte causan más lesiones incapacitantes que cualquier otro tipo de herramienta manual. Pueden prevenirse las lesiones causadas por herramientas manuales de corte si se toman las medidas correctas y adecuadas para la seguridad.

Tool Box Talk- Emergency Action Planning

In the United States, Occupational Safety and Health Administration standards require some firms with more than 10 employees to have a written emergency action plan; smaller companies may communicate their plans orally. Top management support and the commitment and involvement of all employees are essential to an effective emergency action plan.
 

Target Audience: Fabricators, Installers, Stone Distributors, Quarriers

Charla de Caja de Herramientas- Planificación de Acciones de Emergencia

En los Estados Unidos, los estándares de la Administración de Seguridad y Salud en el Trabajo (OSHA) obliga a algunas empresas con más de 10 empleados a tener un plan de acción de emergencia por escrito; en las empresas más pequeñas se puede comunicar el plan oralmente. El apoyo de la alta administración y el compromiso y participación de todos los empleados son esenciales para un plan de acciones de emergencia eficaz.

Tool Box Talk- Fire Protection Safety

Following fire protection safety rules are critical for protecting human life and equipment.
Failure to follow these rules has been a contributing factor for many workplace fires and accidents.

Target Audience: Fabricators, Installers, Stone Distributors, Quarriers

Charla de Caja de Herramientas- Protección Contra Incendios

Seguir las reglas de seguridad para la protección contra incendios es crítico para la protección de la vida humana y los equipamientos. El defecto en el seguimiento de estas reglas ha sido un factor contribuyente en muchos de los incendios y accidentes en el lugar de trabajo.

Tool Box Talk- Forklift Safety

Forklifts are a necessity in the stone industry. They are used in many ways including to move stone slabs. While a versatile piece of equipment, there are safety rules that must be followed to ensure the safety of the driver and others in the workplace.

Target Audience: Fabricators, Installers, Stone Distributors, Quarriers

Charla de Caja de Herramientas- Seguridad con montacargas

El montacargas es una necesidad en la industria de la piedra. Son utilizados de varias maneras distintas incluso en el movimiento de losas de piedra. Como es una pieza de equipamiento versátil, existen normas de seguridad que tienen que seguirse para garantizar la seguridad del conductor y cualquier otra persona en el puesto de trabajo.

Tool Box Talk- Holiday Season Safety Tips

HOLIDAY FUN, HOLIDAY STRESS and HOLIDAY ACCIDENTS! All year long you’ve heard workplace safety messages “follow work rules… don’t take shortcuts… prevent accidents….” To do this, of course, you have to keep your mind on your work. But this time of the year, your mind may be everywhere else but on your work. The following are a few holiday season safety reminders tips to help prevent workplace and off the job accidents during the holiday season.

Target Audience: Fabricators, Installers, Stone Distributors, Quarriers

Charla de Caja de Herramientas- Consejos de Seguridad en la Época de las Vacaciones

¡La DIVERSION DE LAS VACACIONES, EL ESTRÉS DE LAS VACACIONES y los ACCIDENTES DE LAS VACACIONES! Durante todo el año, usted ha escuchado los mensajes de seguridad en el lugar de trabajo: “seguir las reglas de la compañía, no tomar atajos, prevenir los accidentes.” Para hacer esto, por supuesto, hay que tener su trabajo en mente. Pero, en la época de las vacaciones, su mente puede estar en cualquier otro sitio aparte del trabajo. Los siguientes son consejos recordatorios de seguridad en la época de las vacaciones para ayudar a prevenir los accidentes en el lugar de trabajo y fuera del trabajo durante la época de las vacaciones. Muchos de estos son aplicables durante todo el año:

Tool Box Talk- Housekeeping

Everyone has heard the adage, “a place for everything and everything in its place.”  Housekeeping aligns with this adage and is a broad term that refers to the routine maintenance and upkeep of a workplace. Housekeeping must be a fundamental part of every safety program. Good housekeeping reduces injuries and accidents, improves morale, reduces fire potential, and can even make operations more efficient. 

Target Audience: Fabricators, Installers, Stone Distributors, Quarriers

Charla de Caja de Herramientas- Gestión Interna

Todo el mundo ha escuchado el dicho, “un lugar para cada cosa y cada cosa en su lugar.” La gestión interna se alinea con este dicho y es un término amplio que se refiere al mantenimiento de rutina y el mantenimiento del puesto de trabajo. La gestión interna tiene que ser una parte fundamental de todo programa de seguridad. La buena gestión interna reduce las lesiones y accidentes, mejora la moral, reduce el potencial de incendio, e incluso puede hacer que las operaciones sean más eficientes. Las agencias reguladoras hacen referencia a la gestión interna en numerosas normas. Los requerimientos generales para la gestión interna son los siguientes:

Tool Box Talk- Loading and Unloading Trucks with A-Frame Supports

The following slab-handling safety guidelines have been developed to ensure the safe loading and unloading of stone slab A-Frame supports on flatbed trucks. When used in tandem with your own company’s operating and safety procedures they can help safeguard your well-being and protect other workers and customers who visit your facility.

Target Audience: Fabricators, Installers, Stone Distributors, Quarriers

Charla de Caja de Herramientas- Carga y Descarga de camiones con Soportes de Bastidor A:

Las siguientes pautas de seguridad para la manipulación de losas han sido desarrolladas para garantizar la carga y descarga seguras de losas de piedra en camiones de plataforma con bastidores A. Cuando éstas sean utilizadas en conjunto con los procedimientos operativos y de seguridad de su propia empresa, pueden ayudarle a salvaguardar su bienestar y proteger a otros trabajadores y clientes que visiten sus instalaciones.

Tool Box Talk- Moving Stone Slabs with Forklifts

Forklifts are used in numerous work settings to move materials.  If operated properly they can be used without incident.

Target Audience: Fabricators, Installers, Stone Distributors, Quarriers

Charla de Caja de Herramientas- Movimiento de losas de piedra con carretillas elevadoras o montacargas:

Los montacargas o carretillas elevadoras se utilizan en numerosos entornos de trabajo para mover los materiales. Si se opera correctamente, pueden utilizarse sin incidentes.

Tool Box Talk- Manual Slab Handling Safety

Manual lifting and moving of materials poses a risk of musculoskeletal injuries. These may include back, shoulder and hand/arm injuries. In the stone industry, the risk includes lifting and moving stone slabs in the shop or on the residential or commercial job site. You can avoid serious injury by following these precautions.

Target Audience: Fabricators, Installers, Stone Distributors, Quarriers

Charla de Caja de Herramientas- Seguridad en la Manipulación Manual de Losas

La elevación manual y el movimiento de materiales presenta un riesgo de lesiones musculo esqueléticas. Estas pueden incluir lesiones en la espalda, los hombros y la mano / el brazo. En la industria de la piedra, el riesgo incluye la elevación y movimiento de losas de piedra en la tienda o en el lugar de trabajo residencial o comercial. Usted puede evitar lesiones graves siguiendo estas precauciones.

Tool Box Talk- Pneumatic Nail Gun Safety

Pneumatic tools, aka nail guns or staple guns, as their names imply, use pneumatic energy (air pressure) to drive nails and staples into materials. Serious injuries or fatalities can result from improper use including unintentional discharge.

Target Audience: Fabricators, Installers, Stone Distributors, Quarriers

Charla de Caja de Herramientas- Seguridad en el uso de pistolas neumáticas de clavos

Las herramientas neumáticas como pistolas de clavos o de grapas, como sus nombres lo indican, usan energía neumática (aire a presión) para fijar clavos y grapas en materiales sólidos. Lesiones serias o hasta la muerte puede resultar debido a un uso incorrecto incluyendo la descarga involuntaria.

Tool Box Talk- Portable Electric Power Tool Safety

Portable electric power tools are used commonly in our industry. While use of portable electric power tools can make tasks easier and more efficient, improper use of these tools can potentially lead to serious accidents.

Target Audience: Fabricators, Installers, Stone Distributors, Quarriers

Charla de Caja de Herramientas- Seguridad en el Uso de Herramientas Eléctricas Portátiles

Las herramientas eléctricas portátiles son utilizadas con frecuencia en nuestra industria. Mientras que el uso de las herramientas eléctricas portátiles puede hacer las tareas más fáciles y más eficientes, el uso impropio de estas herramientas puede potencialmente conducir a accidentes graves. Para más información vea:http://www.osha.gov/SLTC/etools/construction/electrical_incidents/powertools.html

Tool Box Talk- Power Tool Safety

Power tools, both portable and fixed installation are a common part of our everyday lives. These tools help us to easily perform tasks that otherwise would be difficult or impossible. However, these simple tools can be hazardous and have the potential for causing severe injuries when used or maintained improperly.

Target Audience: Fabricators, Installers, Stone Distributors, Quarriers

Charla de Caja de Herramientas- Seguridad en el uso de herramientas eléctricas

Las herramientas eléctricas, tanto las portátiles como las de instalación fija son una parte común de nuestra vida cotidiana. Estas herramientas nos ayudan a realizar fácilmente las tareas que de otro modo serian difíciles o imposibles. Sin embargo, estas sencillas herramientas pueden ser peligrosas y tienen el potencial de causar graves heridas si se utilizan o mantienen de forma incorrecta.

Tool Box Talk- Preventing Vehicle Backup Accidents

A vehicle backup incident occurs when a driver is backing a vehicle does not see an object or person(s) within the path of travel and strikes the object or person(s). Workplace vehicles include cars, pickup trucks, traditional fork lifts, cargo delivery trucks, semi-trailer trucks, flat-bed trailer trucks, dump trucks, shooting boom forklifts, skid loaders, garbage trucks, bulldozers, backhoes and concrete delivery trucks. Recent statistics show over 50 backup fatalities per year occur in the workplace. These incidents can be prevented.

Target Audience: Fabricators, Installers, Stone Distributors, Quarriers

Charla de Caja de Herramientas- Prevención de Accidentes de Vehículos en Marcha Atrás

Un incidente de vehículo en marcha atrás ocurre cuando el conductor que está dándole marcha atrás no vea un objeto o una persona(s) en la trayectoria en que está viajando el vehículo y golpea contra el objeto o la persona(s). Los incidentes en el lugar de trabajo incluyen automóviles, camionetas, montacargas tradicionales, camiones de reparto de carga, camiones semirremolques, camiones remolques de plataforma plana, camiones de volteo,
carretillas elevadoras de tiro, cargadores de basura, camiones de basura, buldóceres, retroexcavadoras y camiones de reparto de concreto. Las estadísticas recientes muestran que más de 50 fatalidades relacionadas con incidentes de vehículos en marcha atrás ocurren en el lugar de trabajo. Estos incidentes pueden ser prevenidos.

Tool Box Talk- Stone Slab Handling Safety

Stone slab handling occurs in virtually any stone shop, warehouse, stone storage yard and quarry.  Stone slabs are very large, very heavy and can be unwieldy and extremely dangerous if not handled properly.

Target Audience: Fabricators, Installers, Stone Distributors, Quarriers

Charla de Caja de Herramientas- Seguridad en la Manipulación de Losas de Piedra

La manipulación de las losas de piedra suele ocurrir en prácticamente cualquier tienda de piedra, almacén, patio de almacenamiento de piedra y cantera. Las losas de piedra son muy grandes, muy pesadas y pueden ser difíciles de manejar y extremadamente peligrosas si no son manipuladas apropiadamente.

Tool Box Talk- Walking/Working Surface Safety

Slips, trips and falls represent approximately 15% of all accidental deaths and approximately 25% of reported injuries. Slippery surfaces often take you by surprise. Wet, greasy or muddy floors are dangerous under any conditions, but they present special hazards when you’re pushing a hand truck or moving stone slabs. Maintaining walking and working surfaces free from hazards can prevent slip, trip and fall accidents.

Target Audience: Fabricators, Installers, Stone Distributors, Quarriers

Charla de Caja de Herramientas- Seguridad en las Superficies de los Pisos de Trabajo

Los resbalones, deslizamientos y caídas representan aproximadamente el 15% de todas las muertes accidentales y aproximadamente un 25% de las lesiones que son informadas. Las superficies resbaladizas a menudo le toman por sorpresa. Los pisos mojados, grasientos o fangosos son peligrosos bajo cualquier condición, pero presentan un peligro especial cuando usted está empujando una vagoneta a mano o moviendo losas de piedra. El mantenimiento de las superficies de trabajo y en que se camina libres de peligros puede prevenir accidentes de resbalón, deslizamiento o caída.

Tool Box Talk- Winter Driving Safety Overview

Winter weather is beautiful but it also poses significant hazards to drivers.  You can reduce the risk if you follow a few safety practices.

Target Audience: Fabricators, Installers, Stone Distributors, Quarriers

Charla de Caja de Herramientas- Seguridad al conducir en invierno

El clima invernal es hermoso, pero también presenta peligros significativos para los conductores. Se puede reducir el riesgo siguiendo algunas prácticas de seguridad.

Tool Box Talk- Working at Elevation Safety Overview

Falls from as little as three (3) feet can cause serious injury. Using ladders, scaffolding, operating mobile work platforms (e.g., scissor lifts and extendable boom lifts), working on roofs and working around or on elevated platforms all pose the risk of falls. The following provides a summary of fall prevention measures when working at elevation.

Target Audience: Fabricators, Installers, Stone Distributors, Quarriers

Charla de Caja de Herramientas- Seguridad del Trabajo en Elevación

Las caídas tan pequeñas como desde tres (3) pies, pueden causar lesiones graves. El uso de escaleras, andamios, operación de plataformas móviles de trabajo, (por ejemplo, elevadores de tijera y elevadores de brazo extensible), trabajar en el techo y trabajar en o alrededor de plataformas elevadas pueden todas representar el riesgo de caídas. A continuación se proporciona un resumen de medidas de prevención de caídas cuando se trabaja a niveles elevados.

Spring 2022 Building Stone Magazine - Case Studies in Natural Stone

Through editorials, photographs, and illustrations presented in this issue of Building Stone Magazine, explore all facets of building with natural stone. From geology to stone selection, and conceptualized design to project installation, you will discover the possibilities and successes this versatile material can offer. Not only does natural stone provide a history of art and beauty, it also satisfies many green building goals through its inherent sustainable attributes and testament of durability.  

Virtual Tucker Design Awards Celebration

Join us as we showcase the recipients of the 2022 Tucker Design Awards, highlighting the design and use of natural stone. We’ll share the judges’ comments and learn what made the project award-worthy. Celebrate our recipients and the companies who contributed to the success of each project. Design teams will be available to answer questions and provide insight into design choices. We’ll also learn about the recipient of the 2022 Bybee Prize, a lifetime achievement award recognizing an architect for their legacy of inspiring use of natural stone.

Case Studies: Using Natural Stone in Commercial Architecture (2024)

With so many building materials on the market today, what makes natural stone the best material for your application? Join us as a group of design and industry professionals discuss why they chose natural stone for their commercial projects in a series of award-winning project case studies. During this session, we will discuss why natural stone is the premier choice for commercial applications in cladding, interior and exterior art installations, and public spaces. We will also share tools to avoid and solve challenges that can be associated with these complex applications. Come away with a plan to incorporate more natural stone into your design portfolio. Leave inspired with best practices and creative inspiration to expand the use of natural stone in your portfolio.

Designer Talk: Why Natural Stone?

With so many building materials on the market today, why is natural stone the best material for your application?  Join us as a group of design professionals discuss why they chose natural stone as their premier building material.  Learn tips on how to choose and specify the correct natural stone for your application.  Come away with a plan to build natural stone into your design repertoire. 

Designer Talk: Don’t Fake it When You Make It- Reasons to Choose Natural Products

Materials like natural stone, real wood, and tile have a certain allure, but they also face misconceptions related to maintenance and sustainability. Join us as we celebrate the benefits of choosing natural materials and dispel the myths surrounding natural building products that will re-energize your project’s connection to nature.

Designer Talk: Using Natural Stone in Landscape Architecture

With so many building materials on the market today, what makes natural stone the best material for your application?  Join us as a group of design professionals discuss why they chose natural stone in their exterior projects.  During this session, we will discuss exterior sitework, including plazas, water features, outdoor living spaces, parks, and memorials.  Come away inspired with best practices to expand the use of natural stone in your portfolio.

Case Studies: Using Natural Stone in Landscape Architecture

With so many building materials on the market today, what makes natural stone the best material for your application?  Join us as a group of design professionals discuss why they chose natural stone in their exterior projects.  During this session, we will discuss exterior sitework, including plazas, water features, outdoor living spaces, parks, and memorials.  Come away inspired with best practices to expand the use of natural stone in your portfolio.

Designer Talk: Using Natural Stone in Residential Architecture

With so many building materials on the market today, what makes natural stone the best material for your application? Join us as a group of design professionals discuss why they chose natural stone for their residential projects. During this session, we will discuss residential architecture and the opportunities tied to stone applications in exteriors, outdoor living spaces, fireplaces, and interior specialty spaces. Come away inspired to incorporate more natural stone in your design portfolio.

Case Studies: Using Natural Stone in Residential Architecture

With so many building materials on the market today, what makes natural stone the best material for your application? Join us as a group of design professionals discuss why they chose natural stone for their residential projects. During this session, we will discuss residential architecture and the opportunities tied to stone applications in exteriors, outdoor living spaces, fireplaces, and interior specialty spaces. Come away inspired to incorporate more natural stone in your design portfolio.

Case Studies: Using Natural Stone in Interior Design

With so many building materials on the market today, what makes natural stone the best material for your application?  Join us as a group of design professionals discuss why they chose natural stone for their kitchens, baths, fireplaces, and interior specialty spaces. Learn why natural stone is the ideal choice for these applications and understand how to avoid challenges in these types of projects. Come away with a plan to incorporate natural stone in more of your design portfolio.

Case Studies: Using Natural Stone in Landscape Architecture (2023)

With so many building materials on the market today, what makes natural stone the best material for your application? Join us as a group of design and industry professionals discuss why they chose natural stone for their commercial projects in a series of award-winning project case studies. During this session, we will discuss why natural stone is the premier choice for commercial applications in cladding, interior and exterior art installations, and public spaces. We will also share tools to avoid and solve challenges that can be associated with these complex applications. Come away with a plan to incorporate more natural stone into your design portfolio. Leave inspired with best practices and creative inspiration to expand the use of natural stone in your portfolio.

Case Studies: Using Natural Stone in Commercial Architecture (2023)

With so many building materials on the market today, what makes natural stone the best material for your application? Join us as a group of design and industry professionals discuss why they chose natural stone for their commercial projects in a series of award-winning project case studies. During this session, we will discuss why natural stone is the premier choice for commercial applications in cladding, interior and exterior art installations, and public spaces. We will also share tools to avoid and solve challenges that can be associated with these complex applications. Leave inspired with best practices and creative inspiration to expand the use of natural stone in your portfolio.

Case Studies: Using Natural Stone in Commercial Architecture

With so many building materials on the market today, what makes natural stone the best material for your application? Join us as a group of design and industry professionals discuss why they chose natural stone for their commercial projects in a series of award-winning project case studies. During this session, we will discuss why natural stone is the premier choice for commercial applications in cladding, interior and exterior art installations, and public spaces. We will also share tools to avoid and solve challenges that can be associated with these complex applications. Leave inspired with best practices and creative inspiration to expand the use of natural stone in your portfolio.

Case Studies: Using Natural Stone in Interior Design (2023)

With so many building materials on the market today, what makes natural stone the best material for your application? Join us as a group of design and industry professionals discuss why they chose natural stone for their kitchens, baths, fireplaces, and interior specialty spaces, in a series of award-winning project case studies. Learn why natural stone is the ideal choice for these applications and understand how to avoid and challenges in these types of projects. Leave inspired with best practices and creative inspiration to expand the use of natural stone in your portfolio.

Case Studies: Using Natural Stone in Residential Architecture (2024)

With so many building materials on the market today, what makes natural stone the best material for your application? Join us as a group of design and industry professionals discuss why they chose natural stone for their residential projects in a series of award-winning project case studies. During this session, we will discuss residential architecture and the opportunities tied to stone applications in exteriors, outdoor living spaces, fireplaces, and interior specialty spaces. Come away inspired to incorporate more natural stone in your design portfolio. Leave inspired with best practices and creative inspiration to expand the use of natural stone in your portfolio.

Designer Talk: Using Natural Stone in Interior Design

With so many building materials on the market today, what makes natural stone the best material for your application?  Join us as a group of design professionals discuss why they chose natural stone for their kitchens, baths, fireplaces, and interior specialty spaces. Learn why natural stone is the ideal choice for these applications and understand how to avoid challenges in these types of projects. Come away with a plan to incorporate natural stone in more of your design portfolio.

Designer Talk: Using Natural Stone in Commercial Architecture- The Dwight D. Eisenhower Memorial

With so many building materials on the market today, what makes natural stone the best material for your application? Join us as a group of design professionals discuss why they chose natural stone for their commercial projects. During this session, we will discuss why natural stone is the premier choice for commercial applications in cladding, interior and exterior art installations, and public spaces. We will also share tools to avoid challenges associated with these applications. Come away with a plan to incorporate more natural stone into your design portfolio.

2020 Award Winning Projects Featuring Natural Stone

In this course, three projects showcase the ingenuity, sustainability, and versatility of genuine natural stone. Explore innovative ways natural stone is being used in contemporary design and understand the material selection played an important part in each of these award-winning projects.

2021 Award Winning Projects Featuring Natural Stone

Each year, the Natural Stone Institute honors several projects that represent the best use of natural stone through innovation, beauty and craftmanship. The award-winning projects featured in this course are notable for their ingenuity, sustainable attributes, and material selection. It is our hope to both educate and inspire architects and designers on the many benefits to building and designing with natural stone.

Stone Application Case Study: A Technical Discussion on a Los Angeles Home Installation

Join the Natural Stone Institute and Stone World Magazine as we discuss an award-winning residential natural stone project. This Los Angeles residential project includes exterior stone cladding, vein-cut travertine paving, bookmatched countertops and more. During the session, we will review project drawings and discuss the unique techniques utilized to complete this application.

Virtual Quarry Tour-Vermont Quarries

This one-hour virtual experience will allow you to visit an active marble quarry and see the stone in its original environment. Discover the history of the quarry, the geological components of the stone, and what makes it unique to this site. Stone professionals will provide technical information concerning stone installation, and you will discover creative applications and opportunities with a designer. Join us and connect with nature’s oldest building material!

Virtual Quarry Tour-Coldspring

This one-hour virtual experience will allow you to visit an active granite quarry and see the stone in its original environment. Discover the history of the quarry, the geological components of the stone, and what makes it unique to this site. Stone professionals will provide technical information concerning stone installation, and you will discover creative applications and opportunities with a designer. Join us and connect with nature’s oldest building material!

Virtual Quarry Tour: Polycor Indiana Limestone Quarries

This one-hour virtual experience will allow you to visit an active limestone quarry and see the natural stone in its original environment. Discover the history of the quarry, the geological components of the stone, and what makes it unique to this site. Stone professionals will provide technical information concerning stone installation, and you will discover creative applications and opportunities with a designer. Join us and connect with nature’s oldest building material. 

Natural Stone Building Materials: An Introduction for Students

This course is part of Natural Stone Institute’s Building Stone Materials Kit, which has been specifically designed to be incorporated into the Building Materials course curriculum within Architecture, Interior Design, and Landscape Architecture programs. The goal of these kits is to raise student awareness for the benefits and uses of natural stone that will influence their recognition of natural stone as a superior building material.

Natural Stone Principles

This one-hour course is your introduction to using natural stone as a building material. By reviewing the fundamentals of its formation and mineral composition, you will gain confidence in specifying this versatile material.  Let us open your eyes to the endless possibilities for these beautiful, durable and valued natural stones.

Why Choose Natural Stone?

With so many building materials on the market, why continue to choose genuine natural stone for your projects? This course covers the inherent durability of natural stone, its performance ability in commercial and residential applications, and technological advancements that are keeping natural stone at the forefront of design trends.

Achieving Green Building Goals with Natural Stone

Natural stone is nearly complete as a building material in its natural state and has proven its durability over the centuries. Combine these attributes with knowledge that the industry has committed to lowering impacts, being socially responsible, and aligning with green building programs. Most design teams already agree that natural stone is inherently a great solution for projects with green building goals. This session will elaborate on why and show you where to find the documentation needed to check more boxes than you might have realized were possible with natural stone.

Natural Stone Thin Veneer: The Basics

This course is designed to provide a basic understanding of a relatively new application (thin veneer) of a classic product (natural stone). Learn how this product is produced, common application techniques and opportunities, and best uses for different types of this unique material.

Natural Stone Countertops: Considerations for Marble, Granite, Quartzite and Soapstone

This one-hour course will demonstrate how natural stone applications can add beauty, character, and value to any living space. By communicating the proper expectations for performance and maintenance requirements, the consumer will gain a better understanding and appreciation for using natural stone in their kitchens and bathrooms.

Natural Stone vs. Manmade Materials: Exterior Applications

Natural stone has been the premier building material of choice throughout history, thanks to its durability and timeless aesthetic. Inherently beautiful and versatile, it’s no wonder that manmade materials aim to replicate its attributes, appearance and ultimately its desirability.  This course will compare the versatility, performance characteristics, and green building considerations for both natural stone and manmade materials. Understanding these key points will prepare you with knowledge for design concepts, applications and how to educate the consumer.  Styles change from season to season, but mother nature creates unique designs in natural stone that are historically innovative and always on trend. 

Natural Stone vs Manmade Materials: Interior Applications

Natural stone has been the premier building material of choice throughout history, thanks to its durability and timeless aesthetic. Inherently beautiful and versatile, it’s no wonder that manmade materials aim to replicate its attributes, appearance and ultimately its desirability. 

This course will compare the versatility, performance characteristics, and green building considerations for both natural stone and manmade materials. Understanding these key points will prepare you with knowledge for design concepts, applications and how to educate the consumer. 

Styles change from season to season, but mother nature creates unique designs in natural stone that are historically innovative and always on trend.

The Art of Specifying Natural Stone

There are many factors to consider when specifying materials for a project. Use this course to get the resources you need to help ensure the stone you choose meets the standards and design intent set for your application.

Why Specify Certified Stone | How the Natural Dimension Stone Sustainability Standard can Assist Green Building Projects

Learn how the products certified to the Natural Stone Sustainability Standard can help your project achieve its sustainability goals. This course covers the importance of life cycle analysis, chain of custody standards, and other green building components.

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Using Natural Stone to Lower Your Project’s Embodied Carbon

Thanks to a recently published set of industry-wide EPDs for natural stone products, we now know that it has a low global warming potential (GWP). There are many parts of todays interior, exterior, and landscape projects that can easily substitute natural stone for higher embodied carbon materials. Our panel of architects and landscape architects share why and how, siting recent project case studies.

Geology of Natural Stone I- Introduction to Natural Stone

The geological makeup of stone is a major determining factor when specifying materials.  This course will provide a geological overview of stone.  Participants will learn about the history of stone, geological attributes to consider when specifying material, and how to verify stone classifications. 

"Stick with Me": Selecting and Applying Adhesives for Natural Stone

If you’ve been in the industry for decades, you remember a time when the use of adhesives for stone attachments was a forbidden practice. The development of modern, high-tech, high-performance adhesives has changed that considerably. Adhesive attachment, either by itself or in combination with mechanical anchorage, is a common and highly successful means of securing stone elements as well as completing cosmetic and/or structural repairs. This success does not occur, however, without a thorough understanding of the properties, capabilities, and limitations of the adhesive being used. An appropriate product must be selected, and careful attention must be paid to the storage, handling, surface prep, mixing, and application to ensure satisfactory results. This presentation will address many of the questions commonly asked regarding the use of adhesives with natural stone.

"Doing the Heavy Lifting:" Design, Anchorage, and Installation of Heavy Cubic Stone Elements

Our modern world has managed to make nearly everything thinner and lighter, from the coat of paint on your car to the thickness of the bags at your local grocer. The same is true in the stone industry where we are using thinner than traditional sections in the majority of applications, however there are exceptions. For historic, perspective, vocal statement, or performance reasons, we still see the occasional “cubic” and “ultra-cubic” stone project. Many of today’s craftworkers are familiar only with the more common thinner stone elements, and as such are unaware of the methods, techniques, and challenges unique to the use of heavy, cubic sections of stone. This presentation will discuss many of the differences required in fabrication, attachments, and handling of these “-monstersize” natural stone elements.

"Exposed!:" Environmental Exposures that Create Special Selection Concerns for Natural Stone

Natural stone is used in a myriad of environmental exposures.  When properly selected and designed, natural stone will perform in some of the harshest exposure conditions encountered. However, the anticipated exposure may trigger the need for additional consideration, evaluation, and testing.  Environments that include elements such as freeze/thaw cycling, extreme heat, rapid thermal cycling, salt atmosphere, deicing salts, acid rain, heavy traffic (vehicular and/or pedestrian), immersion, pool or fountain chemicals, excessive dynamic building movement and/or vibration, seismic activity, extreme  wind loading (hurricane), pollutants, exhaust, or vandalism/graffiti need to be identified prior to selection and design to ensure that an appropriate stone and related systems are selected to ensure satisfactory long-term performance.  This webinar will discuss what measures need to be taken for a variety of exposure conditions.

The Chemistry of Adhesives

This presentation will compare the many adhesive chemistries used in the stone fabrication and restoration industry, including epoxy, polyester, and acrylic. Newer chemistries including polypoxy, urethanes, and urethane hybrid systems will also be covered.  The presentation will focus on the comparative properties of these chemistries, and will highlight the pros and cons of each.  We will also discuss some of the “Do’s and Don’ts” when using these adhesives.

The Science of Sealing: What to Know, What to Use, and Why

Join us for a webinar on the science behind stone and tile types and the compatibility of different sealers and their overall performance. Different stones have different densities, porosities, mineralogy, and various finishes that exaggerate these differences. Learn which sealer types to use based on how they are marketed and made for optimum sealing performance; water-based vs. solvent-based; what sealers do and don’t do, and when they should be used. A discussion of how to avoid common grout haze staining issues and how to save time and money in the process by pre-sealing or using a grout release for certain tiles and stones will be key points of discussion and demonstration.

Right Tools for the Job (Blades and Glues)

What is the best blade for cutting marble, quartzite, or other stones? Are pre-mixed color cartridge adhesives better than mixing by eye? What other tools should be considered? This session will cover the selection process for shop and installation tools and chemicals. Come away with a plan to select the right tool for the job every time.

ASTM Standards and Stone Testing

Join Natural Stone Institute Technical Director Chuck Muehlbauer for an overview of ASTM standards and stone testing requirements for projects in the United States. Learn the requirements of performance placed on stone at the time of installation and in the future, and how these standards serve as benchmarks for quality limits of products.

Stone Testing: Attachments

Attachment of stone units is accomplished by either mechanical anchorage or adhesive bonding, or in some situations a hybrid system using both methodologies. Test methods exist to proof both mechanical and adhesive systems. Given the vast variety of products and designs available to accomplish attachment, the test methods tend to be less standardized than physical property testing methods to allow for customization of the method per the specific parameters of the project components. This session will uncover the mysteries of the ASTM C1354 (Individual Stone Anchorages), ASTM C1201 (Full Panel Stone), and the newly published ASTM C1823 (Shear Bond of Adhered Stone) test methods. Attention will be focused on how the methods are customized to address specific and unique situations.

Stone Testing: Accelerated Weathering

One of the increasingly common requests in stone properties is that of its resistance to freeze/thaw cycling. Historically, stone product performance evaluations were done via research of existing exemplar projects using the same stone in similar climatic exposures. However, this is not feasible when evaluating products that are relatively new to the marketplace. Development of a standardized method for accelerated weathering testing of stone has been a research topic within ASTM and other committees for decades. This session will provide the background of the research completed, a summary of the current research being conducted, and an overview of what type of testing is currently being implemented in the absence of a published, consensus-based protocol.

ANSI Dynamic Coefficient of Friction Test for Natural Stone Surfaces

Public walking surfaces carry a unique level of liability. With the 2014 withdrawal of test method ASTM C1028, stone suppliers and specifiers do not have a test method available to document the safety of their surfaces. The Natural Stone Institute technical department has recently completed a comprehensive study using the ANSI A137 DCOF test method, which was written for ceramic products. The results are encouraging, suggesting that this test method may be equally applicable to stone products.  Attend this session to learn how the issue of slip/fall liabilities could be addressed by adoption of this test method.

Stone Tolerance & Quality Control

When installing construction components such as natural stone, tolerances are key—nothing in construction is exact. The challenge then is to define that limit that differentiates between “close enough” and “not close enough,” which are referred to as “within tolerance” and “outside of tolerance.” Documented, consensus tolerances within the industry define those limits, and unnecessary discussion and arguments can be avoided just by ensuring that all project participants are aware of the published tolerances of the industry.

Joinery in Natural Stone Applications

Joints, or as called in some sectors of the industry, “seams,” are a necessary element in natural stone installation.  Limitations in stock availability and fabrication machinery create practical limits on piece sizes, while the need to accommodate dynamic building movements and thermal expansions requires interruptions in the finish layers.  Placement of these joints, sizing of the joints, and treatment of the joints must be properly designed and executed to prevent failures ranging from minor to catastrophic.  This webinar will guide the designer, fabricator, and installer in better management of stone panel discontinuities to achieve the desired performance over the service life of the project.

Petrography in Natural Stone

Of the various tests and analyses performed on dimension stone, perhaps the least understood and most underutilized is petrographic analysis. Commonly done in accordance with the ASTM C1721 Standard Guide for Petrographic Examination of Dimension Stone procedure, petrographic analyses yield valuable insights into the mineralogical composition, fabric structure, pore configuration, and other information about the stone matrix. From these discoveries, prediction about the stone’s capabilities and vulnerabilities, particularly with respect to weather resistance, can be made. This session provides a thorough description of the steps and processes involved, including the test specimen selection and preparation, macroscopic and microscopic examinations, and x-ray diffraction. The session will wrap up with a discussion of how to interpret the petrographer’s report and what commonly found features in natural stone may represent “red flags” for certain application environments.

Working with Your Fabricator: Setting Expectation for Residential Stone Applications

Have you ever specified a building material and had an unexpected outcome after installation? Join us as we discuss setting expectations when specifying natural stone for residential use. During this session, we will discuss how to select the right material for applications, what should be included in stone specifications and when to ask your fabricator for help. Come away with a better understanding of how to select natural stone for your next residential application.

Effects of Deicing Chemicals in Natural stone

Commonly fielded questions by the NSI’s technical staff include numerous queries regarding the selection of deicing chemicals for use on natural stone, particularly limestone. Building maintenance personnel are routinely attempting to achieve a balance between providing safe walking surfaces for occupants while minimizing potential damage to stone surfaces due to the application of deicing chemicals. A recently completed research study performed by the NSI Technical Department has yielded some valuable insight regarding the degradation of limestone products when subjected to a variety of deicing chemicals. The chemicals included in the study cover a spectrum of chlorides and acetates representing a rather wide range of costs and effects. The stone test specimens were subjected to repeated wet/dry cycling and freeze/thaw cycling, in addition to the chemical exposure. This webinar topic is purposely presented just in time for the onset of winter snow and ice season in many of our northern regions.

Advanced Anchorage Systems

Many choices exist for the anchorage of natural stone units. While experienced design professionals understand the factors that influence their selections, those factors may not be obvious to all.  This session will discuss specific exterior anchorage devices and illuminate the intrinsic features unique to them that makes them a favorable choice in some applications, yet an unfavorable candidate in another. Focus will also be provided on the importance of proper installation of these same devices.

Creating Shop Drawings

Shop drawings are a great communication tool that can clarify details of a project to clients, production employees, and installation crews. During this session, we will discuss key components of shop drawings, how to create them, and how to fabricate stone to meet specifications. Come away with a better knowledge of these documents and a plan for how to use them to create a successful installation.

Stone Exterior Wall Cladding: Best Practices and Techniques

This session will discuss several varieties of exterior cladding systems and explain the minimum skills and experience that should be secured before venturing into each type of work. Come away from this session with a plan for researching and writing specifications to meet industry standards.

Exterior Adhered Stone Veneer

Many contractors and design professionals have preferences for either adhered or anchored methods of applying stone veneer, but the decision shouldn’t be based on preference.  Project details, structural support, anticipated loading, stone variety, and even local climate often provide a more objective answer as to whether adhesive or anchored methods are more appropriate. This session will discuss the code mandated and industry recommended parameters that should be evaluated to determine the system to use, and the components included in that system.

Using Stone in Wet Areas

Stone selection is an excited process for members of the design community, as well as stone professionals.  When it comes to using stone in an area defined as a “wet exposure” application, such as showers, there are some key elements you will want to be aware of. This session will provide some of the properties to be evaluated to ensure success when installing stone in wet areas, as well as some of the proven installation methods. We will also discuss common mistakes that can lead to premature failure of these applications.

Virtual Quarry Tour: Vetter Stone

This one-hour virtual experience will feature an active limestone quarry and allow you to see the stone in its original environment. Discover the history of the Vetter Stone quarry, the geological components of the stone, and what makes it unique to this site. Stone professionals will provide technical information concerning stone installation, and you will discover creative applications and opportunities with a designer. Join us and connect with nature’s oldest building material!

Virtual Quarry Tour-Stony Creek

This one-hour virtual experience will feature an active granite quarry and allow you to see the stone in its original environment. Discover the history of the quarry in Branford, CT, the geological components of the stone, and what makes it unique to this site. Stone professionals will provide technical information concerning stone installation, and you will discover creative applications and opportunities with a designer. Join us and connect with nature’s oldest building material!

Natural Stone Seaming Demonstration

This session covers three specific types of seams (Gluing Miters: Face Down with Clamps, Gluing Miters: Face Up with Tape, Deck Seams & Butt Joints). Learn how to perform each specific seam and answer related questions to each technique. Review basic color matching theory and seam finishing and gain a better understanding of how to utilize each seam on the jobsite.  

There’s Something About Quartzite

Quartzite is a beautiful building material.  With that beauty comes unique fabrication and installation techniques. Join the Natural Stone Institute and Stone World magazine as we discuss the world of geological quartzite.  During the session, we will discuss the geology, fabrication, and installation practices that provide the best product application of this material. We will also review how to set expectations with customers to ensure successful installation and a happy client.  Come away with a plan to maximize the value of quartzite to both your company and the customer.

Stone Testing: Accelerated Weathering 2

As the second webinar dedicated to this topic, this session will explain that with the absence of a published ASTM test method for accelerated weathering of dimension stone, leading researchers and laboratories in the country have created some consensus with respect to the methodology and protocols appropriate for this procedure. Different synthesized exposures appropriate for different application environments will be explained in detail. Methods for tracking and assessment of strength loss, mass loss, and surface degradation during exposure will be discussed and demonstrated. Guidance on the interpretation of the results will provide valuable insight in applying those results to your specific project.

Fabricator Forum Breakout Session

In this recorded session, a panel of fabricators shares insight on the challenges and innovations facing the fabrication market, with a focus on technical, business administration, and marketing.

Hard Surface Industry Town Hall

This session explores the challenges and opportunities that currently exist in the hard surface industry. Prior to COVID-19, industry leaders had identified several key objectives that needed to be addressed in order to continue to grow and develop the market for hard surface products, including tile, natural stone, and wood flooring.  Examples include addressing marketing campaigns from competitive products, a lack of trained and qualified labor market, and recruitment pathways to bring more people into the industry. COVID-19 created new challenges for our industry, but many of the issues facing us before the pandemic remain. 

Managing a Family Business

What makes a family business successful? Learn from a panel of three stone professionals as they share their experiences and explore best practices for handling the unique dynamics and challenges that come with managing a family business.

State of the Stone Industry

What is the current state of the natural stone industry?  Learn first-hand how industry leaders and peers are addressing matters ranging from government regulation, competing product challenges, and forecasting market growth. 

Women in Stone Legacy Series: Featuring Barbara Cohen

The Women in Stone Legacy Series will explore and celebrate the successful careers of influential women in the natural stone industry. We hope that their stories will inspire future generations of women leaders to pursue their dreams. By learning from their challenges and triumphs, future industry leaders will be motivated to succeed and help our industry thrive.

On Thursday, April 7, 2022 at Coverings we honored Barbara Cohen, third-generation owner and President of Miller Druck Specialty Contracting and the first female recipient of the Migliore Award for Lifetime Achievement. In this video recording, we hear directly from Barbara about her storied career in the industry and learn how she has paved her way over her 40+ career in a male-dominated industry.

Building Your Fabrication Production Process: Creating Measurements that Ensure Efficiency and Growth

Do you know your company’s production process?  This course will discuss how to itemize your production process and delineating measurements that produce an accurate report of your company’s efficiency.  Come away with a plan for mapping your production stages, finding bottlenecks and creating efficiencies that will mitigate pain points and backups.

Estimating for Profitability

How does your company estimate a project? Are you estimating to ensure profitability?  This session covers the basics of estimating, including factors that impact a project estimate and how to create estimates based on actual project costs. During this session, we will also review project-specific risks that are often overlooked.  Come away with a list of items you should always consider when estimating a project.

Perspectives in Benchmarking: Using Metrics to Drive Growth

One of the most important aspects of running a successful business is understanding what metrics are important to measure and how to measure your company against competition. This session will define business benchmarking and discuss what metrics should be measured to ensure a company’s success. The session will also discuss resources for finding industry benchmarks so a company can better measure their metrics against others in the industry.

Building Your Shop Through Automation and Digital Software

Join the Natural Stone Institute and Stone World Magazine as we discuss building your shop through automation. Learn how to investigate products that are new to your process, including tooling equipment and digital software. Learn how to develop focused questions that will help you ensure the product or machine you review will perform as anticipated and provide the expected results.

Building Efficiency in Your Fabrication Facility

This session covers ways to build efficiency in your fabrication facility by finding and fixing bottlenecks in your operations. Learn how to determine when and where to augment your facility with automation. At the end of this course, you will have a plan to increase productivity through more efficient operations.

Stone Sales I: Basic Sales and Marketing Measurements

This session is an introduction to sales techniques and measurements in the stone industry. Join us as we discuss demographic analysis, creating measurements, and using the data to increase sales.  Come away from the session with a plan to create a measurable sales process.

A Breakout Discussion on Selling Natural Stone

Are you a salesperson in the natural stone industry? Join this interactive discussion on selling stone to discuss common challenges in this field with your peers. Learn best practices from leaders in your field, ask questions, and share your own experiences on topics such as acquiring leads, sampling, product knowledge, understanding customer needs, dispelling online myths, and naming consistency.

Templating Complex Projects

Customers are asking fabricators to take on more unique challenges.  Whether customers are asking for stealth desks, staircases, or curved surfaces, fabricators must find a way to template these projects in an efficient and accurate manner.  During the session, we will discuss what fabricators should consider when accepting complex jobs.  Learn about templating techniques that will ensure an accurate measurement and come away with a plan to reduce time on the jobsite and lower rework due to inaccuracy.  

Key Pulse Points for Building A Successful Stone Fabrication Business: Bring Order to the Chaos

Join the Natural Stone Institute and Stone World Magazine as we discuss key pulse points for building a successful business. Explore ways to build your team and create metrics to inspire success. Learn how to build a company infrastructure that will create future business growth.

Terminator Level I CNC Tool Operator Certification Pre-requisite

Course Description

This pre-requisite course is geared towards any fabricators interested in attending Terminator CNC Training Center’s Level I Tool Operator Certification.  Taking this course prior to attending the certification will allow the attendee to arrive with a better understanding of the most foundational concepts and basic classroom terminology.

Webinar- Basics of Water Recycling

This session will discuss the science and legality behind water recycling for fabrication facilities.  Learn about current regulatory issues affecting the stone industry and how best to meet those requirements.  This session will also discuss current methods of water recycling and how this can both help the environment and your bottom line.

Theories in Templating

Templating is the key to accurately measuring, fabricating, and pricing your product. This session will include a review of manual and automated templating processes and a discussion on the strengths of each. We will also discuss subcontracting options that might be available in your area. Come away from this session with a plan to improve your templating process while keeping cost low.

Vertical Templating- Assuring Accuracy for a Successful Installation

Accurate vertical templating is important to insure a successful installation of fireplaces, showers and other vertical applications.  Join us as we discuss how to perform a successful vertical template.  During this session, we will discuss tips and tricks to assure accurate measurements on vertical templates and how to identify uneven substrates.  Come away with checklists and and handouts on how to build a plan to assure successful measurement.

Selling Natural Stone: Building Your Company’s Sales Structure

Join the Natural Stone Institute and Stone World Magazine as we discuss creating a sales structure for your stone fabrication business. During the session, we will discuss the differences between residential, retail, and commercial sales and learn what safeguards should be in place when setting up your sales contracts. Come away with a plan to diversify your sales streams to ensure continued revenue.

Fabricator and Installer Roundtable: Sales & Promotion During a Crisis

How has the COVID-19 pandemic changed the way you connect with customers? Join a panel of countertop fabricators and installers as they share ideas and best practices for connecting virtually, implementing new policies, and meeting changing expectations. Learn how you can increase sales and find new ways to promote your company and connect with your customers both in person and virtually.

Natural Stone Distributor Roundtable: Sales & Promotion During a Crisis

How has the COVID-19 pandemic changed the way you connect with customers? Join a panel of natural stone slab and landscape distributors as they share ideas and best practices for connecting virtually, implementing new policies, and meeting changing expectations. Learn how you can increase sales and find new ways to promote your company and connect with your customers both in person and virtually.

Social Media Marketing: An Interactive Discussion for Stone Professionals

Are you a marketing professional in the natural stone industry? Join this interactive discussion on social media marketing for the stone industry. Learn best practices from leaders in your field, ask questions, and share your own experiences on topics such as sourcing photos, efficiency tools, topic identification, and platform best practices.

Adjusting Your Marketing Strategy in Times of Crisis

The COVID-19 pandemic has changed the way we do business in the stone industry. This course will explain best practices for connecting with customers during times of crisis and creating a plan for connecting with customers during the coming months.

Remnants: A Pile of Opportunity

Is your stone yard filled with remnants from past jobs?  Join us as we discuss remnant management.  During this session, we will review how to reduce, recycle and reuse remnants.  Come away with tips on to repurpose salvageable pieces while reducing waste cost for unusable pieces. 

How to Be Resilient - The Power of Understanding People

Developing successful relationships is critical to having a successful personal and professional life. This session will show you how to establish and develop effective relationships by providing you with techniques to better identify and understand the intrinsic needs of others. Through storytelling and experiential exercises, author Dave Mitchell will help you gain insight into your own unique interaction style and teach you how to communicate, motivate, sell, and service more successfully no matter the personality types involved. We will discuss being resilient in today’s changing world by better handling the stress of peak performance and work/life balance. David will explain the behaviors that insulate us from being stressed out and how we can manifest them.

Women in Stone Discussion Panel

2020 has turned our worlds upside down. Working mothers have struggled, but many have found solutions and are thriving. Empathy and clear communication have never been more important in the business world, and women are needed in leadership roles. Find out how you can support Women in Stone’s mission to recruit, retain, and advance women in the natural stone industry.

Natural Stone University: Q&A and Tutorials

Have a question about how your company can utilize the Natural Stone University as an employee training and workforce development tool? Join NSI Education Manager Aaron Dahnke for a Q&A session and tutorial of our platform. Attendees will learn how to find courses, create an education plan for  employees, and track progress across your company. 

Stone Testing Lab Overview

Natural Stone InstituteStone Testing Lab Overview 

This session provides an overview of the Natural Stone Institute’s state-of-the-art stone testing lab. Learn about why the lab was created, what services are offered, and what discounts are available to members. Gain a better understanding of the testing services the lab has to offer and when your company should take advantage of these resources.  

Women in Stone Legacy Series: Featuring Brenda Edwards

The Women in Stone Legacy Series explores and celebrates the successful careers of influential women in the natural stone industry. We hope that their stories will inspire future generations of women leaders to pursue their dreams. By learning from their challenges and triumphs, future industry leaders will be motivated to succeed and help our industry thrive.

Case Studies: Using Natural Stone in Landscape Architecture (2024)

With so many building materials on the market today, what makes natural stone the best material for your application? Join us as a group of design and industry professionals discuss why they chose natural stone for their exterior projects in a series of award-winning project case studies. During this session, we will discuss exterior sitework, including plazas, water features, outdoor living spaces, parks, and memorials. Leave inspired with best practices and creative inspiration to expand the use of natural stone in your portfolio.

Reducing Embodied Carbon with Natural Stone

Join us for a case study in sustainable construction as we delve into a compelling case study that showcases the remarkable potential of natural stone in minimizing embodied carbon. Discover how the Freedom Place project in Dallas, TX successfully replaced pre-cast concrete with natural limestone, resulting in an 80% reduction in global warming potential without breaking the bank.

Exploring Sustainable Quarry Practices

Join us as we explore the important topic of ecological land impacts from natural stone quarrying. The Natural Stone Sustainability Standard has redefined the narrative around natural stone extraction, where sustainability and longevity harmonize with industry needs. With a focus on exemplary cases of quarry reclamation and adaptive reuse, you'll leave with a new level of comfort knowing that the natural stone materials you are sourcing have been responsibly produced with long-term plans to protect the environment.

Case Studies: Using Natural Stone in Residential Architecture (2023)

With so many building materials on the market today, what makes natural stone the best material for your application? Join us as a group of design and industry professionals discuss why they chose natural stone for their residential projects in a series of award-winning project case studies. During this session, we will discuss residential architecture and the opportunities tied to stone applications in exteriors, outdoor living spaces, fireplaces, and interior specialty spaces. Come away inspired to incorporate more natural stone in your design portfolio. Leave inspired with best practices and creative inspiration to expand the use of natural stone in your portfolio.

Maximizing Your Membership

The Natural Stone Institute provides a number of tangible benefits for companies in the natural stone industry. This course bundle will provide resources to explain how these resources can be utilized to create value for you and your team. Come away with a plan to maximize your investment through Natural Stone Institute programs, resources, and events:

Using Natural Stone to Create Biophilic Environments

Natural stone is an obvious material choice for biophilic design, but the versatility of the material is endless and worth exploring. This session will highlight several interior and exterior projects, and the unique ways they used natural stone in functional and artistic applications.

Women in Stone | How to Get Involved

Women in Stone is a thriving advocacy group powered by the Natural Stone Institute. In this course you can watch two videos. First, an orientation style webinar developed to help new Women in Stone participants understand the various benefits of involvement. It explains the events and programs offered and how you can get involved. Second, a Call to Action webinar which details the volunteer opportunities for 2025

An Overview of the Natural Stone Sustainability Standard

Learn why natural stone quarriers, fabricators, and distributors should certify to the Natural Stone Sustainability Standard. Get a high level overview of the process including document review, on-site audit, and the resources available for companies to complete each step.

Natural Stone Institute Program- Natural Stone Resource Library Overview

Over 250 of the Natural Stone Institute’s technical documents are available online and free of charge in the Natural Stone Resource Library. Join us as we discuss how to use this resource when creating natural stone specifications. Learn how stone industry professionals use this program to inform both commercial and residential customers of installation standards for natural stone.

Water: Document Review Guidance for the Sustainability Standard

The Water section contains the following credits:

Water Reduction Planning (required)

Water Recycling

     Required: A minimum of 25% of the water accounted for in the water inventory for processing and quarry operations shall be captured and recycled

     Optional: 85%+

     Optional 95%+

Enhanced Water Treatment (required)

     Optional: Diversion of 50%+ of sludge

     Optional: Input water sourced from rainwater, grey water, or other nonpotable source

          25-49%

          50-74%

          75%+

Transportation: Document Review Guidance for the Sustainability Standard

The Transportation section contains the following credits:

Chain of Custody (required)

Transportation Management Plan (required)

Site Management: Document Review Guidance for the Sustainability Standard

The Site Management section contains the following credits:

Site Management Plan (required)

Ecosystem Boundaries (required)

Environmental Impact Assessment

Verification of Site Management Plan

Land Reclamation & Adaptive Reuse: Document Review Guidance for the Sustainability Standard

The Land Reclamation & Adaptive Reuse section contains the following credits:

Post Closure Reclamation Plan (required)

Community Involvement

Exemplary Site Closure

Corporate Governance: Document Review Guidance for the Sustainability Standard

The Corporate Governance section contains the following credits:

Prohibition on Forced Labor (required)

Prohibition on Child Labor (required)

Prevention on Discrimination (required)

Community Outreach/Service (required)

Social Accountability (required)

Energy: Document Review Guidance for the Sustainability Standard

The Energy section contains the following credits:

Energy Inventory (required)

Energy Management Program (required)

Total Energy Reduction

Carbon Management

Renewable & Alternative Energy Sourcing

Excess Process Materials & Waste: Document Review Guidance for the Sustainability Standard

The Innovation section of the Natural Stone Sustainability Standard contains the following credits:

Excess Materials Inventory (required)

Excess Materials Reduction Plan (required)

Demonstrated Excess Process Materials Reduction

Demonstrated Solid Waste Reduction

Chemicals: Document Review Guidance for the Sustainability Standard

The Chemicals section contains the following credits:

Chemical Inventory (required)

Chemical Management Program (required)

Additional Chemical Management Program

Elimination of Chemicals of Concern

Human Health & Safety: Document Review Guidance for the Sustainability Standard

The Human Health & Safety section contains the following credits:

Occupational Safety Plan (required)

Optional: Improved workplace safety using data for less injuries or illnesses

Air Emissions Inventory (required)

Air Emissions Management Plan (required)

Innovation: Document Review Guidance for the Sustainability Standard

The Innovation section of the Natural Stone Sustainability Standard contains the following credits:

Health & Safety

Transportation

Waste Reclamation or Reuse

Energy Conservation

Natural Stone Institute Program- Natural Stone Institute Accreditation Program Overview

This session will include a holistic overview of the Natural Stone Institute Accreditation Program.  Review the history of this program and discuss how the program has improved industry standards.  Hear from Accredited companies who have already received their designation and learn how they utilized the program to improve their companies.

Introduction to the Accreditation in Progress Series

This is the first course in our Accreditation in Progress: Six Month Immersion Bundle.

This introductory webinar will explain why now is the time to pursue Natural Stone Institute Accreditation. Learn what is being done to promote Accredited companies and establish relevance of the credential in the market. This session will also include a broad overview of steps required to complete the accreditation process. Learn how to prepare for and complete each step to earn accreditation and how to get your entire team involved to make the process go smoothly.

Accreditation in Progress: Accreditation Exam

This is the fourth course in our Accreditation in Progress: Six Month Immersion Bundle.

The Natural Stone Institute accreditation exam may seem intimidating at first, but there’s no need to worry. Join us as we discuss tips and tricks to help you successfully pass the exam. During this session, we will review the types of questions that will be asked and discuss strategies for finding the correct answer. Come away with a plan to pass the exam on the first try.

Accreditation in Progress: Recommendations

This is the second course in our Accreditation in Progress: Six Month Immersion Bundle.

Recommendations are a requirement of the accreditation process. Seeking recommendations gives you an opportunity to follow up on past successes. During this session, we will discuss the recommendations required to become accredited. Learn what recommendations meet this requirement and how to utilize these recommendations to drive sales.  Come away with a plan to ask for and receive recommendations that will help your company.

Accreditation in Progress: Business Paperwork

This is the third course in our Accreditation in Progress: Six Month Immersion Bundle.

Review the business documents needed for accreditation. Learn what is acceptable paperwork to submit and how to properly document information.

Accreditation in Progress: Safety Review

This is the fifth course in our Accreditation in Progress: Six Month Immersion Bundle.

A voluntary OSHA visit is an accreditation requirement that causes many companies angst. Join us as we demystify this requirement. Hear from companies who have gone through the OSHA On-Site Consultation process.  Learn what to expect during this visit and how you can best prepare for it.

Accreditation in Progress: The Final Audit

This is the sixth course in our Accreditation in Progress: Six Month Immersion Bundle.

Your company has submitted the required paperwork, had a OSHA On-Site Consultation, and passed the accreditation exam. The last requirement in an in-person audit. During this session we will discuss what auditors look for when they visit your site. Review the scheduling process and audit paperwork. Come away with a plan to finalize the process of becoming an accredited company.

Natural Stone Institute Program- CEU Program Orientation

This is a ‘how to’ video featuring the Natural Stone Institute’s CEU Program. Members can enroll in the program so they can access turn-key presentations, present them to the architects and designers of their choice, and offer ceu credits. Once you finish watching, complete the exam in the final module and forward your certificate of completion to kris@naturalstoneinstitute.org. 

Natural Stone Institute Program- Customizing CEU Presentations

Have you ever considered customizing a CEU presentation for your companies use?  This ‘how to’ video discusses the value of a customized CEU presentation.  You will learn about presentation requirements, the credit approval process and how to establish yourself as a provider and administrator.

Natural Stone Institute Program: CEU Speaker Refresher

Natural Stone Institute's CEU Program provides our members with the tools needed to build relationships with architects and designers. If you are not already enrolled and certified, please exit this class and watch the full CEU Program Orientation. The CEU Speaker Refresher Course is intended for existing speakers to maintain their certification by learning about new resources and procedures. 

Virtual Quarry Tour: Majestic Stone

This one-hour virtual experience will feature an active granite quarry and allow you to see the stone in its original environment. Discover the history of the quarry, the geological components of the stone, and what makes it unique to this site. Stone professionals will provide technical information concerning stone installation, and you will discover creative applications and opportunities with a designer. Join us and connect with nature’s oldest building material!

Virtual Quarry Tour: Lyons Sandstone

This one-hour virtual experience will feature an active granite quarry and allow you to see the stone in its original environment. Discover the history of the quarry in Lyons, CO, the geological components of the stone, and what makes it unique to this site. Stone professionals will provide technical information concerning stone installation, and you will discover creative applications and opportunities with a designer. Join us and connect with nature’s oldest building material!

Virtual Quarry Visit: Rademann Dolomitic Limestone

This one-hour virtual experience will feature an active quarry and allow you to see the stone in its original environment. Discover the history of the quarry, the geological components of the stone, and what makes it unique to this site. Stone professionals will provide technical information concerning stone installation, and you will discover creative applications and opportunities with a designer. Join us and connect with nature’s oldest building material!

Virtual Quarry Tour: TexaStone Quarries

This one-hour virtual experience will feature an active quarry and allow you to see the stone in its original environment. Discover the history of the quarry, the geological components of the stone, and what makes it unique to this site. Stone professionals will provide technical information concerning stone installation, and you will discover creative applications and opportunities with a designer. Join us and connect with nature’s oldest building material!

Natural Stone Fabricator Syllabus

Take advantage of over 100 hours of training which have been compiled for natural stone fabricators in this easy-to-use syllabus.  It is a great tool for providing guidance on training both new and existing employees, and may be used when applying for apprenticeship programs.  

Natural Stone Restoration and Maintenance Syllabus

The Natural Stone Institute has compiled this class as a guide to training new natural stone restoration and maintenance employees. This course was created to provide companies guidance on training new employees and applying for apprenticeship programs.

Natural Stone Slab Distributor Syllabus

Take advantage of over 100 hours of training which have been compiled for natural stone slab distributor in this easy-to-use syllabus.  It is a great tool for providing guidance on training both new and existing employees, and may be used when applying for apprenticeship programs.

Silica & Slab Safety Certificate

The final step to receiving your Silica & Slab Safety Certificate is to complete the exam tied to this course which verifies you have successfully completed the the training. Participants who meet all requirements will be issued a certificate of completion which can be downloaded in your transcript.