The British workplace safety authority have published reassurances that UK law is enough to keep stone worktop workers safe
However, with recent concerns, the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has published new stone worktop guidance to address concerns.
In July 2024, Australia banned the use and supply of stone engineered for stone worktops, due to health risks.
Working with stone worktops can be hazardous to individual health
There are calls to completely ban the practice, including from some influential industrial figures, such as William Durrant, director of Herringbone Kitchens, who launched a Government petition to ban stone tabletops due to the rise of silicosis. The petition was cut short by the general election last year.
Health concerns primarily come from stone dust, which contains respirable crystalline silica (RCS).
RCS enters the air that employees breathe when processing, engineering, cutting, chiselling, or polishing the stone. This can lead to respiratory issues, including silicosis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, or lung cancer.
A company has recently been fined by the HSE for this issue for a total of £18,000. Warmsworth Stone Limited were given seven improvement notices for several incidents of disregarding health and safety measures, exposing workers to RCS, amongst other health and safety violations.
The company must also pay expenses for just over £4,000.
The new stone worktop guidance will protect workers
The new guidance covers ensuring competent staff and effective processes, pre-installation, on-site installation, and post-installation.
Examples of some of the steps and measures mentioned in the new stone worktop guidance are:
- Installers should understand the risk from processing stone and how to use suitable controls
- Worktops should be pre-fabricated so further processing on site is avoided
- Water suppression or on-tool extraction with shroud and dust collector attached to an M-class vacuum should be used to control any dust generated
- Respiratory protective equipment with an assigned protection factor (APF) of at least 20 (e.g. FFP3 face mask) should be worn when processing the stone
- Cleaning should be by wet methods or dust class M vacuum to prevent creation of dust
Mike Calcutt, deputy director at health and work, said: “HSE will continue to work with industry stakeholders to raise awareness of managing the risks from exposure to respirable crystalline silica. It’s important that businesses act now to ensure they comply with the law and protect their workers from serious lung diseases.
“Great Britain has a robust and well-established regulatory framework in place to protect workers from the health risks associated with exposure to hazardous substances. We want employers and workers to make sure they are aware of the risks associated with the activities they do, and that’s why we are sending this reminder.
“HSE’s inspectors have often found poor management of control measures including water suppression, dust extraction, equipment maintenance, cleaning and RPE provision. Employers should ensure suitable control measures are properly used and maintained.”
