The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has published a helpful guide of do-s and don’ts for stone worktop installers who face significant health risks when working with materials like engineered stone. The HSE guidance notes aim to help workers reduce exposure to respirable crystalline silica (RCS), a dangerous substance found in many stone products.
What Are the Respiratory Risks of Silica Exposure?
Silica is a natural substance found in stones, rocks, sand, and clay. The workplace safety regulator highlights how, over time, breathing in these silica particles in the stone working industry can cause irreversible, life-changing and often fatal respiratory conditions such as silicosis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and lung cancer when workers inhale its airborne particles during manufacturing processes.
How Can Employers and Stone Workers Minimise the Risks of Exposure?
To help manage these risks, the new HSE guidance outlines several do-s and don’ts for employers and stone worktop professionals. From safety training and effective processes to installation stages and post-installation recommendations, key recommendations include:
• Awareness: Installers should understand the risks of processing stone and how to use suitable controls.
• Techniques to Reduce Exposure: Worktops should be pre-fabricated so further processing on site is avoided, and 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.
• Correct Personal Protective Equipment: 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
• Post Installation: Cleaning should be by wet methods or dust class M vacuum to prevent the creation of dust
Mike Calcutt, Deputy Director at Health and Work, emphasises the importance of businesses taking immediate action to comply with the law and safeguard their workers against serious lung diseases. Previous HSE inspection findings have highlighted deficiencies and poor management of control measures, including water suppression, dust extraction, equipment maintenance, cleaning and RPE provision, underscoring the need for employers to utilise and maintain these measures appropriately.
He 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.”
Source: Read the full press release: https://workright.campaign.gov.uk/new-simplified-advice-for-installers-of-stone-worktops/
A link to the guidance is available here – Silica in Stoneworking and the direct download is available here.
What Legal Obligations Do Employers Have Regarding Silica Exposure?
Employers are legally required to establish suitable arrangements for managing health and safety in compliance with the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 2002 (COSHH). The new guidance serves as a reminder for duty holders and workers to implement effective procedures and controls to minimise the risk of exposure to stone dust and prevent workers from inhaling RCS.
Should any health and safety violations be identified, the health and safety regulator can take enforcement actions to guarantee the protection of workers’ health.
Industrial Disease Solicitors
As the guidance shows, your employer is legally obliged to provide a safe working environment for you so that the possibility of exposure to dangerous materials is minimal. They are also responsible for providing appropriate training for handling goods and machinery and supplying suitable safety equipment. If these responsibilities are not met, employers or duty holders could be held liable for negligence.
We understand that deciding to pursue a personal injury claim – especially against an employer or large company – can be intimidating. You may also feel uncertain about the potential success of your claim. In these cases, it is essential to seek the advice of a trusted and experienced solicitor who can support you throughout the process.
At The Personal Injury People, we can provide the answers and guidance you need and offer advice tailored to your case. We work on a ‘no-win, no-fee’ basis and help clients nationwide. With extensive experience supporting clients with industrial disease claims, we are here to help.
If you want to find out if you can make a compensation claim, contact our team for a free, no-obligation consultation to discuss your case. Call 0800 731 7555 or complete the enquiry form to get in touch.