14 2017 | TECH advocate of having prop- er breathing protection. The owner of IQ is a huge advocate also and I really like the company. I’m very happy with the saw’s pro- duction.” He mentioned that at Stuart Tile, new precautions have been initiated that he hopes will keep workers safe moving forward. “Now we have triple-filter dust containment systems when grinding anything. “I still see people from other trades on projects sanding drywall and cement and I just shake my head,” he explained. “I try to tell them my story and to get a mask on. It’s such an easy thing to do but to be honest, most are not educated and just don’t realize just how dangerous and harmful this dust can be. “Now, if someone from our company is caught with- out dust protection and dust equipment is being used, they will be sent home. It’s something that we take very seriously at Stuart Tile. Since explaining to all of our employees the seriousness of this and showing them literature of how bad the dust is, everyone is very good at using the proper protection.” According to Erin Albrecht, COO, J&R Tile in San Antonio, the compa- ny was ahead of the game collabo- rating with IQ Power Tools on their dustless saw after meeting them at Coverings in Chicago in April 2016. “We had the saws on order before they were even made, seeing the value in our everyday use. It was actually our installers who took me over to their booth after ACT/CTI testing. We use them in our everyday work, and the vacuum on the table helps keeps our team safe, and less exposed to the silica in fabrication. “In team meetings we also talk about the links to respiratory diseases and silica,” she explained, “edu- cating our team in awareness of long terms effects, and just because they may not visibly see it, they are exposed. We upgraded to the new respiratory masks from OSHA, and are working currently on a fed- eral project in Laredo, Tex., with general contractor Brasfield and Gorrie, which also does business with Five Star Contractor David Allen Company, and we are treating this project as if the OSHA rules have already gone into effect.” Albrecht also noted J&R Tile makes it mandatory, on all jobs, “when mixing any adhesives, grouts, water- proofing components, fabrication of products, etc., [that employees] wear the appropriate protection. We make it a point to stay stocked with a safety box for every crew at all times, not just a first aid kit. We piggybacked on NTCA Five Star Contractor Welch Tile’s safety boxes after our visit to Michigan to implement this as best practices for the protection and safety of our skilled staff.” As Welch concluded, “What’s the ROI for silica compli- ance? What’s the price of good health? “True industry leaders understand the value of healthy installers, who, in turn, encourage their kids to catch their passion.” The WaleTale attaches to any bucket and uses a conventional shop vac to eliminate dust when mixing setting materials. Erin Albrecht Certified TileInstaller LOOKING FORTHE BEST? Hiring a CertifiedTile Installer means peace of mind that an elegant bathroom or sophisticated kitchen tile installation will be done right the first time and will look spectacular for years to come. SearchourCertifiedTileInstaller Locatoronourwebsitetofind aninstallernearyou. 864-222-2131 info@ceramictilefoundation.org www.ceramictilefoundation.org Untitled-1 1 6/27/17 3:01 PM METHODS AND STANDARDS (continued)