The Health and Safety Executive has issued new guidance for businesses working with engineered stone, following serious concerns about the health risks linked to silica dust exposure.
The guidance has been prompted by the deaths of two young workers from silicosis in recent years, highlighting the severe and potentially life-changing consequences of failing to properly control respirable crystalline silica, also known as RCS.
For businesses that cut, grind, polish or finish engineered stone, the message from HSE is clear: dry cutting should not be used. Water suppression is now expected as a legal control measure, alongside wider steps to reduce worker exposure and manage the risks associated with silica dust.
Over the next year, HSE will also be carrying out a nationwide inspection programme, with more than 1,000 site visits planned. Businesses that do not meet the required standards may face enforcement action, making now an important time to review current working methods, controls and health surveillance arrangements.
Why is engineered stone a health and safety concern?
Engineered stone is commonly used in products such as kitchen and bathroom worktops. When it is cut, ground or polished, fine dust can be released into the air. If that dust contains respirable crystalline silica, it can travel deep into the lungs when breathed in.
Exposure to RCS dust can cause serious and irreversible health conditions, including silicosis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and lung cancer. One of the biggest risks is that damage can occur before workers notice symptoms. By the time ill health becomes apparent, the damage may already be significant.
This is why effective control measures are not just a compliance issue. They are essential to protecting workers from long-term harm.
What engineered stone dust guidance should I follow?
If your business cuts, grinds, polishes or finishes engineered stone, you must ensure suitable controls are in place to protect workers from exposure to RCS dust.
This includes reviewing whether your current working practices are appropriate and ensuring that dry cutting is avoided. Businesses should provide on-tool water suppression and make sure any mist generated by water suppression is also controlled effectively, as it may still contain crystalline silica.
Suitable respiratory protective equipment must also be provided. HSE guidance refers to powered air purifying respirators, known as PAPRs, with an assigned protection factor of at least 20 when workers are processing engineered stone, cleaning, or maintaining machinery.
Where required, businesses should also have appropriate health surveillance arrangements in place. This is particularly important where workers are regularly exposed to RCS dust and there is a reasonable likelihood that conditions such as silicosis or COPD may develop.
Businesses should also consider how they can reduce risk at source, including by using engineered stone with the lowest crystalline silica content where possible.
Recommended next steps
Affected businesses should take this opportunity to review their current arrangements before an inspection takes place.
Key areas to consider include:
• Reviewing cutting and fabrication methods to make sure dry cutting is not being used.
• Checking that water suppression and dust controls are working effectively.
• Confirming that RPE is suitable, correctly selected, face-fit tested where required, and used properly.
• Reviewing health surveillance arrangements for workers exposed to RCS dust.
• Ensuring managers, supervisors and operatives understand the latest HSE expectations.
• Reviewing training records, safe systems of work and COSHH assessments.
A proactive review can help identify gaps before they become serious issues. It can also demonstrate that your business is taking its legal responsibilities seriously and acting to protect the health of its workforce.
How Sentient can support your business
The new HSE guidance is a clear reminder that businesses working with engineered stone must have robust, practical and legally compliant controls in place.
Sentient’s dedicated health and safety consultants can support affected businesses by reviewing existing arrangements, identifying areas of risk and helping implement practical measures to manage and minimise exposure to silica dust.
Whether you need support with COSHH assessments, safe systems of work, RPE arrangements, health surveillance, staff training or preparation for an HSE inspection, Sentient can help you take a clear, proportionate and proactive approach.
If your business works with engineered stone, now is the time to act. Speak to Sentient today to review your current controls and make sure your business is prepared.
For the full list of requirements / further details, see HSE ST3A Cutting and polishing engineered stone using powered hand-held rotary tools, see here.