User:Cathetus/Polishing (stoneworking)

=Polishing stonework= The action of polishing natural dimension stones such as granite and marble to a high lustre reveals and enhances the inherent reflective qualities of the material. Polished stonework is found in many stonemasonry applications such as kitchen benchtops, building façades and memorials. The sawn faces of stone slabs are usually polished in specialised stone processing factories, and the polished slabs are then transported to different countries. In the destination country, stone slabs are cut to size with diamond saws, after which the exposed edges of the cut slabs require polishing with abrasives and other substances. Polishing stonework edges requires good eye-hand coordination, as well as knowledge about safety, tools & equipment, and different types of stone.

Workplace Health and Safety
The activity of polishing stonework presents safety hazards that can be identified and controlled using a combination of common sense and safe working procedures. As many types of dimension stone contain silica, the dry cutting or grinding of stone produces dust which may contain high levels of harmful crystalline silica. Some dimension stones such as limestone and marble with little or no silica may still produce dust which is harmful to the human respiratory system. Control measures such as dust suppression (wet grinding), dust extraction and wearing PPE (Personal Protective Equipment) should therefore be put in place.