Marble Institute of America: Press Room

NEW MIA SAFETY VIDEO, FUNDED BY DALTILE, TACKLES SLAB SAFETY

CLEVELAND, OH., OCTOBER 26, 2005— A new safety video, produced by the Marble Institute of America (MIA) with a grant from Dallas-based Daltile, will focus on the handling of stone slabs, one of the more dangerous activities in then natural stone business.

Taped on location at Daltile facilities in Anaheim and Dallas, the "Basics of Safe Slab Handling" video covers a wide range of slab handling scenarios ranging from removing slabs from containers to delivering them to customers. The video is hard-hitting and underscores the vital importance of following safe procedures when handling stone slabs which can weigh up to half a ton.

"We are pleased to be working with the Marble Institute of America on its expanding program to promote safety training for the natural stone industry," said Harold Turk, Daltile executive vice president. He added, "We believe that when there is consistency of safety training throughout the marketplace, it eventually benefits the entire industry. The only way to achieve it is through continuing education."

"We sincerely thank Daltile for making a significant contribution to MIA's on-going safety initiative," said Gary Distelhorst, executive vice president of MIA. "Proper handling of slabs is a critical issue, reinforced by the fact OSHA recently released a special bulletin on slab handling due to a number of deaths and injuries attributed to unsafe practices in the natural stone industry," he said.

For information on ordering the "Basics of Safe Slab Handling" video or any other safety related resources, contact MIA at 440-250-9222 or visit www.marble-institute.com.

About Daltile
Dal-Tile offers a comprehensive product line in the ceramic tile industry, including glazed and unglazed floor tile, glazed wall tile, glazed and unglazed ceramic mosaic tile, porcelain tile, quarry tile, stone products and installation products. It operates 20 stone centers and is owned by Mohawk Industries.

About the Marble Institute of America
Celebrating its 60th anniversary in 2004, the Marble Institute of America (MIA) is the world's leading information resource and advocate for the dimension stone industry. MIA members include marble, granite, limestone, sandstone, and other natural stone producers and quarriers, fabricators, installers, distributors, and contractors around the world.