# DOL Cites Pennsylvania Brick Manufacturer for Silica Violations

The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has issued citations to General Shale Brick Inc., operating as Watsontown Brick Company, for willful and serious violations related to respirable silica dust exposure at its manufacturing plant in Watsontown, Pennsylvania. OSHA has proposed fines totaling $496,528, including three willful, four serious, one repeat, and one other-than-serious violation. The company must respond or contest the citations within 15 business days. This enforcement action highlights the ongoing regulatory scrutiny on workplace safety concerning silica hazards in manufacturing environments.

- **Why this matters:** Procurement professionals should be aware that OSHA enforcement actions can impact contractor eligibility and compliance requirements, especially in industries involving hazardous materials.
- Organizations contracting with or supplying to brick manufacturers must ensure adherence to silica exposure regulations to avoid penalties and project delays.
- This case underscores the importance of incorporating occupational safety compliance into vendor risk assessments and contract terms.
- Companies providing safety equipment, training, or consulting services may find increased demand from manufacturers seeking to address silica compliance gaps.

**Jurisdictions:** federal
**Industries:** Construction & Infrastructure
**Topics:** Regulatory Compliance
**Published:** August 27, 2026

### Government Entities
- U.S. Department of Labor (DOL)
- Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)
- Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission

### Vendors
- General Shale Brick Inc. (Brick manufacturer, cited company)
- Watsontown Brick Company (Doing business as General Shale Brick Inc.)

### Sources
- [US Department of Labor cites Pennsylvania brick manufacturer for willfully exposing workers to silica hazards, proposes $496K in fines | U.S. Department of Labor](https://www.dol.gov/newsroom/releases/osha/osha20260826) - DOL
- [US Department of Labor cites Pennsylvania brick manufacturer for willfully exposing workers to silica hazards, proposes $496K in fines | Occupational Safety and Health Administration](https://www.osha.gov/news/newsreleases/philadelphia/20260826) - OSHA