At a glance
- The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has introduced new guidance aimed at reducing silicosis cases among workers cutting quartz and engineered stone worktops
- Silicosis is an irreversible lung disease caused by inhaling respirable crystalline silica (RCS) dust, which can be released during stone fabrication
- More than 50 confirmed cases and four deaths have been linked to silicosis in the UK, prompting increased regulatory scrutiny of the industry
- Employers have a legal duty to protect workers from silica dust through measures such as wet cutting, ventilation systems, risk assessments and suitable PPE
- Workers diagnosed with silicosis may be entitled to make a compensation claim if their illness was caused by inadequate workplace protections
- Injury Lawyers 4u can help investigate occupational disease claims and advise whether compensation may be available following workplace silica dust exposure
If you work with quartz worktops, engineered stone or other materials that produce silica dust, the latest Health and Safety Executive guidance may feel personal.
The HSE has warned that dry cutting engineered stone is “unacceptable” after growing concern over silicosis, an irreversible lung disease linked to respirable crystalline silica. According to a Sky News report, the UK has recorded more than 50 confirmed cases and four deaths.
For stoneworkers, kitchen worktop fabricators and families affected by workplace lung disease, the key question is whether workers were properly protected in the first place.
So, can you claim for silicosis? If you’ve been diagnosed with silicosis after being exposed to quartz worktop dust, or you believe unsafe working conditions contributed to your illness, you may be able to claim compensation .
What are the new HSE rules on quartz worktops?
The Health and Safety Executive has issued new guidance to the engineered stone industry, making clear that dry cutting engineered stone is unacceptable.
Dry cutting means cutting stone without water suppression. Water suppression is used to reduce the amount of dangerous dust released into the air.
The HSE has also said inspectors are carrying out more than 1,000 visits to fabricators across Britain. These inspections are intended to check whether businesses are using proper controls to protect workers from respirable crystalline silica (RCS).
The guidance is important because many workers may have been exposed to silica dust for years without understanding the danger.
For employers, it’s a reminder that health and safety controls aren’t optional. For workers, it may raise serious questions about whether past exposure could lead to a compensation claim.
Why is silica dust from quartz worktops dangerous?
Quartz worktops are not considered dangerous once installed in a kitchen. The risk comes during cutting, grinding, polishing or shaping.
Engineered stone often contains high levels of crystalline silica. When it’s cut, tiny particles can become airborne. These particles are small enough to be breathed deep into the lungs.
This dust is known as respirable crystalline silica.
Repeated exposure can scar the lungs and cause serious, long-term disease. The workers most at risk are often those cutting or fabricating quartz worktops in workshops where dust controls are poor.
What is silicosis?
Silicosis is a permanent lung disease caused by breathing in silica dust. It can cause:
- Shortness of breath
- A persistent cough
- Chest tightness
- Fatigue
- Reduced lung function
- Increased risk of further lung complications
There is currently no cure and, in some cases, silicosis can progress even after a worker is no longer exposed to dust.
This is why engineered stone silicosis is such a serious workplace health issue.
Why experts are comparing silicosis to asbestos
Some experts and MPs have compared the growing concern around silicosis to the asbestos crisis. This is because both involve workplace exposure to a dangerous substance that can cause serious lung disease, sometimes years after exposure.
Asbestos-related disease became one of the UK’s most significant industrial health scandals. The concern now is that workplace lung disease linked to quartz and engineered stone could become another preventable tragedy if controls aren’t strong enough.
Early legal advice can be vital. Our solicitors have years of experience in handling industrial disease compensation claims and can help establish whether exposure happened because of poor workplace protection or not.
Who is most at risk of developing silicosis?
People most likely to be at risk are those who regularly work with materials that release silica dust. This includes:
- Stoneworkers
- Stonemasons
- Quartz worktop fabricators
- Kitchen worktop installers
- Construction workers
- Manufacturing workers
- People cutting, grinding or polishing engineered stone
As a worker, you might not have known you were at risk. Or, you might have been provided with masks or basic equipment but not adequate dust suppression, ventilation or training.
Every employer has a duty of care to employees. This means businesses must take reasonable steps to protect workers from known risks. Where they fail to do this, a workplace exposure compensation claim may be possible.
People working in construction may also be affected, particularly where silica dust exposure happened alongside other health and safety failings. Injury Lawyers 4u supports people affected by construction accidents and workplace illnesses, including conditions linked to long-term dust exposure.
Signs and symptoms workers should not ignore
Silicosis symptoms don’t always appear straight away. In some cases, they can take years to develop after exposure.
You should seek medical advice if you notice:
- Breathlessness during normal activity
- A persistent cough that doesn’t go away
- Wheezing
- Chest pain
- Unusual tiredness
- Frequent chest infections
Could you claim compensation for silicosis caused by workplace exposure?
If you’ve been diagnosed with silicosis and believe your employer didn’t do enough to protect you from harmful dust exposure, you may be entitled to claim compensation.
Employers have a duty to assess workplace risks and put appropriate protections in place. In silica dust cases, this may include:
- Using wet cutting methods
- Providing suitable ventilation
- Supplying properly fitted respiratory protective equipment
- Training workers on silica dust risks
- Monitoring dust levels
- Carrying out health surveillance
- Avoiding unsafe dry cutting
- Keeping clear workplace safety records
Personal protective equipment (PPE) includes items designed to reduce exposure to hazards, such as respirator masks. PPE should be suitable, properly fitted and used alongside other safety measures. It shouldn’t be treated as the only line of defence.
A claim may be possible if an employer failed to protect workers, failed to warn them about the risks or allowed unsafe practices to continue.
Every case depends on the evidence. A diagnosis alone doesn’t automatically mean a claim will succeed, but it can be the starting point for seeking legal advice.
Injury Lawyers 4u handles claims involving serious workplace harm, including accidents at work and occupational illnesses.
What evidence may support a silicosis compensation claim?
If you’re considering making a claim, the following evidence may help:
- Medical records confirming diagnosis
- Details of symptoms and treatment
- Employment history
- Job descriptions and duties
- Information about cutting, polishing or grinding work
- Witness statements from colleagues
- Photos or records of workplace conditions
- Health and safety documents
- Evidence of training, PPE or dust controls
If you’ve been diagnosed with silicosis, Injury Lawyers 4u can assess whether your condition may be linked to workplace exposure and whether you may have grounds to make a claim.
How Injury Lawyers 4u could help workers affected by silicosis
Silicosis cases can be complex because exposure may have happened over many years, across different workplaces or long before symptoms appeared.
Injury Lawyers 4u can help by looking at:
- Where and when exposure may have happened
- Whether employers used safe working methods
- Whether you were warned about silica dust risks
- Whether suitable respiratory protection was provided
- Whether medical evidence supports the claim
- Whether compensation may be available for pain, suffering, lost earnings or care needs
We know how overwhelming a diagnosis like silicosis can be. That’s why we’re here to help you understand your options and guide you through the claims process with clear advice and support.
A no win, no fee agreement means you don’t pay legal fees upfront, and your solicitor is only paid if the claim succeeds. Terms apply, and we’ll explain everything clearly before you decide whether to proceed.
What should you do if you think you’ve been exposed to silica dust?
If you’re worried about quartz worktop dust exposure, it’s important to take the concern seriously.
You should:
- Speak to your GP or an occupational health specialist
- Explain your work history clearly
- Keep a note of the materials you’ve worked with
- Record where and when exposure may have happened
- Keep any workplace documents or training records
- Speak to former colleagues who may have similar concerns
- Seek legal advice if you’ve been diagnosed or are experiencing symptoms
You don’t need to understand every legal detail before seeking help.
At Injury Lawyers 4u, we’re here to help. We can review your situation, explain your options and advise whether you may be able to make a claim.
Talk to an experienced solicitor about your claim
The new HSE guidance on quartz worktops is an important intervention, but for workers already affected by silicosis, it may have come too late.
In many cases, silicosis can be prevented when employers put the right safety measures in place. It’s a serious and irreversible condition that can have a significant impact on daily life.
If your employer failed to control silica dust exposure, you may have legal options available.
Whether stronger regulations or an outright ban follow, anyone diagnosed with a workplace-related lung disease deserves clear advice about their rights and the support available to them.
If you’ve been diagnosed with silicosis and think it may be linked to your work, we’re here to help.
Contact Injury Lawyers 4u today for a free assessment and clear advice about your options.
Silicosis claim FAQs
What is silicosis?
Silicosis is a serious lung disease caused by breathing in respirable crystalline silica dust. It scars the lungs and can lead to breathlessness, coughing and reduced lung function.
Can silica dust cause long-term health problems?
Yes. Silica dust can cause permanent lung damage. In some cases, symptoms may not appear until years after exposure.
Can I claim compensation if I have been diagnosed with silicosis?
You may be able to claim if your condition was caused by unsafe workplace exposure. A solicitor can assess your employment history, medical evidence and working conditions.
How long do I have to make a silicosis claim?
Personal injury claims usually have strict time limits. In disease cases, the time limit may run from the date you knew, or should have known, your illness was linked to work.
What evidence is needed for an occupational disease claim?
Evidence may include medical records, employment history, witness statements, workplace safety documents and details of the materials you worked with.
Can family members claim compensation after a death caused by silicosis?
In some circumstances, family members may be able to bring a claim after a death linked to workplace disease. Legal advice can confirm what options may be available.