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Cambria's Alleged Wash Your Hands Approach to Silicosis: A CEO's Abdication of Responsibility

Artificial Stone Manufacturer: Cambria Company LLC: 2019

In December 2019, Nell Greenfield-Boyce of National Public Radio visited Cambria's artificial stone factory in Minnesota. What she found was a staggering operation processing millions of pounds of quartz daily, amidst mountains of dust and warnings of silica. Yet, when confronted with the growing silicosis epidemic plaguing workers exposed to Cambria's product, CEO Marty Davis's response was allegedly chillingly detached.

Allegedly Passing the Buck:

• Davis allegedly deflected responsibility for worker safety, claiming he couldn't "police his customers." This is an alleged unconscionable abdication of duty. As the manufacturer of a demonstrably hazardous product, Cambria has a moral and ethical obligation to ensure its safe use throughout the supply chain.
• He allegedly shifted blame to existing regulations and worker protection laws, conveniently ignoring the fact that companies like Cambria can and should go above and beyond legal minimums to prioritize worker safety.
• His alleged dismissive "how do you police your customers?" remark exposes a callous disregard for the human cost of his product. Every cut, grind, and polish puts workers at risk, and Cambria cannot simply wash its hands of responsibility.

Alleged Empty Claims and Hollow Promises:

• Davis acknowledged the dangers of silica and the existence of safety regulations, but his words allegedly rang hollow in the face of the stark reality of workers falling ill. The disconnect between Cambria's glossy marketing and the grim reality of its product's impact is unconscionable.
• His alleged assertion that cutting is safe when companies obey worker protection laws ignores the systemic failures that often leave workers vulnerable. Even companies that attempt to follow regulations can inadvertently expose workers to harmful levels of silica.

Cambria's response to the silicosis epidemic is an alleged masterclass in deflecting responsibility and putting profits before people.