The purpose of the Health and Safety Executive’s (HSE) guidelines is to draw attention to the necessity of having appropriate protocols and controls in place to help guard against stone dust exposure and stop employees from inhaling respirable crystalline silica (RCS).
When working stone, specially engineered stone, by cutting, chiseling, and polishing, stone workers are exposed to airborne particles of stone dust containing RCS. Inhaling these silica particles over time can result in lung cancer, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and silicosis—all of which are permanent, life-altering, and frequently fatal respiratory disorders. Following connections to accelerated types of silicosis, medical professionals urged the UK government to outlaw artificial stone worktops last year.
The document offers helpful advice for installers, managers, and supervisors involved in the installation of stone worktops (whether composed of natural, artificial, or engineered stone).
The following are some actions that can be performed to reduce the risk of exposure:
- Understanding the risk of 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 a 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 the creation of dust
It also covers competent staff and effective processes, pre-installation, on-site installation, and post-installation.
Check guidance here
