International Hazard Datasheets on Occupation

Stone cutter

This datasheet is one of the International Datasheets on Occupations. It is intended for those professionally concerned with health and safety at work: occupational physicians and nurses, safety engineers, hygienists, education and Information specialists, inspectors, employers' representatives, workers' representatives, safety officers and other competent persons.

This datasheet lists, in a standard format, different hazards to which persons practising this occupation may be exposed in the course of their normal work. This datasheet is a source of information rather than advice. With the knowledge of what causes injuries and diseases, is easier to design and implement suitable measures towards prevention.

This datasheet consists of four pages:

• Page 1: Information on the most relevant hazards related to the occupation.
• Page 2: A more detailed and systematized presentation on the different hazards related to the job with indicators for preventive measures (marked and explained on the third page).
• Page 3: Suggestions for preventive measures for selected hazards.
• Page 4: Specialized information, relevant primarily to occupational safety and health professionals and including information such as a brief job description, a list of tasks, notes and references.

Stone cutters process crude stone into masses and blocks (by cutting, shaping, breaking, processing, polishing, removal of sections, etc.) into desirable sizes, patterns and degrees of finishing; this is done by using manual and mechanical work tools, for the purpose of building, decorating, creation of statues and similar goals.

• Falling, either from heights or due to collapse of scaffolding
• Eye injury resulting from penetration of ricochets and stone splinters into the eyes
• Hearing loss due to the excessive noise created throughout cutting and processing of the stones
• Dermatitis and allergic reactions stemming from direct contact with dust, glues, cement, plaster, polishing materials, solvents, etc.
• Exposure to mineral dust can cause pneumoconiosis
• Hazard of contracting silicosis as a result of prolonged exposure to dust containing free silica
• Back pains and other musculoskeletal problems caused by overexertion and incorrect posture while lifting and moving heavy objects.

Specific preventive measures can be seen by clicking on the respective in the third column of the table.

Accident hazards	Falling, either from heights or due to collapse of scaffolding
	Slips, trips and falls on the level at the work site
	Injury caused by falling objects, work tools, blocks of stone, etc.
	Overexertion or strained movements throughout the lifting of heavy loads
	Injury resulting from work with mechanical and pneumatic equipment, or from being hit by a manual work tool
	Eye injury resulting from penetration of ricochets and stone splinters into the eyes
Physical hazards	Severe hearing loss as a resulting from the excessive noise produced while breaking and processing stones
	Exposure to environmental factors, including extreme heat or cold, that can cause dermatitis
	Potential exposure to laser radiation while using a laser machine for engraving inscriptions on gravestones or statues.
Chemical hazards	Skin inflammations (dermatitis and eczema) and allergic reactions as a result of direct contact with dust, glues, polishing materials, plaster, solvents, whitewash, cement, oils, etc.
	Pigmentation and skin inflammation as a result of exposure to ricocheting particles
	Advanced systemic sclerosis as a result of exposure to quartz dust containing free silica
	Hazard of developing silicosis as a result of prolonged exposure to free-silica-containing dust
	Exposure to noxious dusts, esp. to suspended particles [see Note]
	Exposure to mineral dust may cause pneumoconiosis
	Exposure to glues containing organic solvents; and/or to lead (this is relevant to a stoneworker who installs statues and engraves inscriptions, into which sometimes molten lead is cast).
Biological hazards	There are no specific hazards, except for the possibility of contracting a parasitic disease, and/or allergic reaction caused by the bite of ticks and/or other insects thriving at the site of the stone works (depending on the geography and topography of the region).
Ergonomic, psychosocial and organizational factors	Back pains and other musculoskeletal problems caused by over-exertion and incorrect posture while lifting and moving heavy objects
	Carrying heavy loads may cause back pain and injury of the discs between the vertebrae of the spinal column
	A feeling of total fatigue, as a result of performing physical work in a noisy environment
	Musculoskeletal system interference and low back pain, caused by working in a squatting position and/or other inconvenient postures while working the stones
	Development of hand-arm-vibration-syndrome [HAVS].

	All work surfaces must be properly installed in order to prevent their collapse and/or falls of workers or object from them; they must be safely fenced and it should be verified that the are stable and in good physical condition; when working on a ladder, it must be verified that the ladder is safely positioned
	Safety shoes with non-skid soles should be worn
	Personal protection equipment should be used, including clothing (long slacks and long-sleeved shirt), gloves, respirator or mask, crash-helmet and safety goggles
	As far as possible, avoid manual lifting of heavy loads; lifting-aids or equipment should be used
	Appropriate ear-protection equipment (ear plugs/head phones) should be used
	Work clothes should conform to the environmental climatic conditions at the work site (excessive heat or cold); it is essential to drink sufficient amounts of water and to use appropriate head cover
	Working with this instrument must be according to the manufacturer’s instructions, in conformity with the IAEA guidelines
	Direct contact with irritating and/or allergenic substances should be reduced to a minimum; use products that protect the skin; hands should be washed thoroughly at the end of the work shift; use gloves when necessary
	When working with noxious dusts, use personal protection equipment for the respiratory system and the eyes; all workers must be using them
	Ask for medical assistance if the worker develops skin rash; an allergy expert could advise how to deal with sensitivity to dust, insect bites, etc.
	The worker must be instructed in the use of correct techniques for moving and lifting heavy loads and in the use of mechanical lifting aids; it is advisable to consult an occupational ergonomist/psychologist.

Synonyms	Chisel worker; stone dresser; stone worker.
Definitions and/or description	Stonecutter cuts, shapes, and finishes rough blocks of building or monumental according to diagrams or patterns: Traces around pattern or transfers dimensions from diagrams to stone, using rule, straightedge, compass, square, and chalk or scriber. Selects surfacing tools according to finish specified or step in finishing process. Chips fragments of stone away from marks on stone, working surface of stone down to specified finish. Verifies progress of finishing ensuring adherence to specifications, using straightedge, level, plumb, and square. May dress surface of stone with bush-hammer. May cut decorative designs in stone surface. May cut moldings or grooves in stone that cannot be reached by machine. May drill holes in stone. May be designated stone according to product as Building Stonecutter (stonework); Curbing Stonecutter (stonework); Monument Stonecutter (stonework) [DOT].
Related and specific occupations	Mason; quarry worker; sculpture (stone); statue installer; stone carver/engraver/etcher/polisher/processor; stonecutting worker.
Tasks	Adjusting; carving; cleaning; complying; controlling; crushing; cutting; drawing; drilling; driving; engraving & etching (grooves & inscriptions in the stone); examining; filling; finishing; fixing (the finished stone within the statue); handling; installing; lifting & lowering; loading; maintaining; mobilizing; moving; operating; polishing; preparing (stone surfaces); processing; quarrying; receiving; removing; sawing; selecting (type/mass of stone); separating; shaping; sketching; splitting (stones); stone-working; straightening; supplying; transferring; transporting; unloading; writing (inscriptions).
Primary equipment used	Compressor; drills; grinding machines; hoists & levers; manual working tools (chisel, hammer, mallet, wedge,..); personal-protection equipment (ear plugs, safety shoes and boots, crash helmets,..); pickup truck; pneumatic-hammer; polishing machine; stone-saw.
Workplaces where the occupation is common	Building contractors; building-stone suppliers; columns, pillars, statues and gravestones builders/manufacturers; construction companies; marble-processing plants.
Notes	Suspended particles of a diameter less than 10 microns (PM < 10 micron) and all particles with a diameter less than 2.5 micron constitute a potential health hazard. These particles can accumulate inside the human respiratory system and cause serious health problems: esp. respiratory irritation, allergic reactions, coughing and shortness of breath, decreased lung function, asthma and pneumonia.
References	1. Encyclopaedia of Occupational Health and Safety, various chapters, 4th. Ed., ILO, Geneva, 1998. 2. Encyclopaedia of Occupational Health and Safety, 3rd. Ed., ILO, Geneva, 1983. 3. Occupational Disease - a Guide to their Prevention. DHEW- NIOSH Pub. 77-181,1977. 4. U.S. Dept. of Labor: Dictionary of Occupational Titles – DOT, 2 Vol., 1991. 5. Adams, R.M.: Occupational Skin Disease 2nd. Ed., Saunders, 1990 6. Zenz, C. et al: Occupational Medicine, 3rd. Ed., Mosby, 1994.

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