Any workers who process stone, including engineered stone, either by cutting, chiselling and or polishing, are at risk of exposure to airborne particles of dust from the worked stone.
Such dust contains respirable crystalline silica (RCS), and this matters
Breathing in silica particles that are in stone dust over time, can cause permanent, life-changing, and often fatal lung conditions, including:
Silicosis / Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) / Lung cancer
HSE has worked with the industry to create new guidance that will help protect worktop installers, which explains how employers and workers can stay safe from stone dust. The new guidance covers three main areas:
- competent staff and effective processes – how to ensure workers are properly trained and processes protect them
- pre-installation actions – what to do before installation begins
- on-site installation actions – how to work safely during installation
Safety advice and access to further resources can be found on the HSE’s
You can read HSE’s guidance (in brief) below or by using the following link read the detailed guidance: Installing stone worktops: protect against harmful natural or artificial stone dust
Dust from stone, whether natural, artificial or engineered can cause serious illness, meaning anyone who cuts, works on / with or polishes stone, including installers of stone worktops, will find this guidance is aimed at them.
Anyone who runs the risk of breathing-in stone dust containing respirable crystalline silica (RCS) runs the risk of their lungs becoming diseased, if the hazard is not sufficiently managed.
RCS, because it is in most rocks, sands and clays will also be in their by-products (i.e., bricks, tiles and concrete). When cut, sanded, carved or ground, the dust created can be fine enough to be breathed deep into the lungs. As RCS is a substance that is hazardous to health, the law is clear, exposure must be risk assessed with the determined risk per activity controlled.
The Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations (COSHH) (as amended) requires employers to provide appropriate information and training to workers, with self-employed people having the same responsibilities as both an employer and a worker, which is to make sure people are not exposed to dust.
HSE has provided COSHH advice sheets for stoneworkers, (ST0 to ST7), designed to help managers and workers to understand the law whilst controlling exposure to RCS.
There is also a six-page booklet, Control of exposure to silica dust: A guide for employees which explains what employers and employees should do to prevent lung disease caused by exposure to silica at work.
There are also things to do to protect yourself and others.
EMPLOYERS must ensure that anyone working with stone is trained to do so. If you are self-employed, you have the same legal duties as an employer, which means when working with stone you must demonstrably understand:
- The risks from RCS;
- How exposure to RCS and other dusts occurs;
- What measures should be used to control the risks.
Before arriving at the installation site, minimise the dust created on-site by doing as much of the cutting, shaping or polishing in a suitably equipped workplace, i.e.:
- Cut out sink and tap holes and check works specs to make sure any optional aspects, (cutting drainage grooves), are done off-site;
- Clean dust off of worktops prior to delivering them (using a wet clean, or a M or H-class vacuum);
- Use accurate measurements for fabrication by using customer specs, using templates or even infrared measuring devices
Check before installing that:
- Any other installers have been trained to work with stone;
- That equipment is in good order prior to use – that filters are in place in on-tool extraction, that vacuums and respiratory protective equipment (RPE) are ready to be used and that any water suppression system has an adequate water flow;
- That everyone knows how to report any health and safety issues or concerns.
Whilst on site, make sure that controls for the risk of exposure to dusts are adequate, i.e.:
- There is an adequate water supply for suppression, if needed; and
- Any cutting tasks that must be done at the site are conducted in an appropriately segregated area, with restricted access, which is well ventilated (preferably outside); or
- An on-tool extractor with a shroud and dust collector, attached to an M or H-class vacuum is in use;
- That heating systems with blowers or air-conditioning units are shut down as these can cause settled dusts to become airborne again, increasing airborne concentrations;
- A face mask (RPE) is used, for example an “FFP3” mask with an assigned protection factor (APF) of at least 20 (unless dust levels are monitored, with the data showing that this level of protection is unnecessary for adequate control). RPE with an APF of 20 can reduce the amount of dust breathed in, by a factor of 20.
Plan the clean up so that risks of exposure to harmful dust are reduced appropriately by:
- Cleaning up immediately, using either wet methods (i.e., using a low-pressure water hose) or an M or H class vacuum;
- Continuing to wear a face mask (RPE) whilst cleaning;
- Discarding all stone waste materials (captured dust or wet slurry) ASAP but without exposing anyone to dust;
- Avoiding the transfer of dust between areas (keeping clothes and personal protective equipment (PPE) clean, i.e., vacuuming coveralls before leaving a dusty area);
- Avoiding sweeping of any dust / debris, or doing anything that makes the dust airborne;
- Not using a dry brush or compressed air to clean dust off of work clothing;
- Getting rid of disposable clothing or RPE once it has been used at the end of each work shift.
To ensure your business does not fall foul of health and safety law in 2025.
- Conduct risk assessments as and when required (prior to undertaking activities).
- Provide training regarding the risks involved and how to manage them.
- Supervise risk management, as necessary, until competence is demonstrated.
- Formally review risk assessments and associated safe systems of work, regularly.
- Update training provided (toolbox talks, in-house or external formal training).
- Keep / update records of all the above processes.
If you need help with any health & safety related issue do not hesitate to contact your health & safety consultancy. We can provide advice / assistance with:
- Your legal requirements with regards to safety and health.
- The management of health and safety – generally or specific to business activity.
- The risk assessment process and how to conduct and record risk assessments
- Required conduct – as per legal requirements to meet when managing an activity.
- Required health surveillance – as per the activity.
- How to evidence due diligence conducted.
- Training needs and how they can be met (provided and recorded).