HSE issues updated guidance on the risk of silicosis from stone worktops

The Health and Safety Executive has released guidance to workers installing stone worktops about how to minimize the risk of exposure to respirable crystallized silica.

This follows guidelines published by the British Occupational Hygiene Society last summer and moves made by authorities in Australia to ban engineered stones worktops . The UK has also been called upon by doctors to ban the use of artificial stone for worktops and kitchen counters due to the danger .

The HSE’s guidance is an ‘overview’ of the dos and donts for those installing stone worktops. BOHS had asked it to update. The guidance stresses the importance of both duty holders and workers ensuring appropriate risk management procedures and control measures are in place.

It warned that stone workers are exposed to particles of airborne stone dust containing RCS while cutting, chiselling, and polishing stone.

Breathing in silica particles over time can lead to irreversible respiratory diseases such as lung cancer, chronic obstructive disease, and silicosis.

The guidance – Silica In Stoneworking – Work Right To Keep Britain Safe covers the following: competent staff, effective processes, preinstallation, on-site installation, and after-installation. Recommendations are:

• Installers should be aware of the risks associated with processing stone, and know how to apply appropriate controls.
• Worktops can be prefabricated to avoid further processing on-site.
• To control dust, use water suppression or an on-tool extraction with shrouds and dust collectors attached to a M-class vacuum;
• When processing stone, respiratory protective equipment (such as a FFP3 mask) with an APF of at least 20, should be worn;
• To prevent dust, use wet cleaning methods or a dust class M vacuum.

Mike Calcutt said, “HSE will work with industry stakeholder to raise awareness about managing the risks of exposure to respirable crystal silica.” Businesses must act quickly to protect their employees from lung disease and ensure that they are in compliance with the law.

Inspectors from HSE have found that control measures, such as water suppression, dust removal, equipment maintenance, cleaning, and provision of RPE, are often poorly managed. Calcutt said that employers should make sure they are using and maintaining the right control measures.