At a glance
- The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has issued new guidance warning that dry cutting engineered stone is unacceptable because of the risks associated with silica dust exposure
- More than 50 confirmed cases of silicosis and four deaths have been recorded in the UK, raising concerns about worker safety in the engineered stone industry
- Silicosis is an irreversible lung disease caused by inhaling respirable crystalline silica dust released when materials such as quartz worktops are cut, polished or shaped
- Experts have compared growing concerns about silica dust exposure to lessons learned from the asbestos crisis, highlighting the importance of prevention and early intervention
- Debate continues over whether stricter regulation is enough, or whether the UK should follow countries such as Australia by introducing a ban on engineered stone
- Workers diagnosed with silicosis may have legal options available if their illness was caused by inadequate workplace protections or failures to control dust exposure
If you work with quartz worktops or engineered stone, the latest guidance from the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) may make uncomfortable reading.
The regulator has announced new measures aimed at tackling silicosis, a serious and irreversible lung disease linked to silica dust exposure. The move follows growing concern over the number of workers diagnosed after cutting and fabricating engineered stone, with more than 50 confirmed UK cases and four deaths reported.
The announcement has also sparked a wider debate. Are the new rules enough to protect workers, or is this a workplace health issue that should have been addressed much sooner?
For workers, employers and health and safety professionals, it’s a reminder that occupational diseases can have life-changing consequences. It also raises important questions about workplace safety, employer responsibility and the rights of those affected.
Why has the HSE stepped in now?
The Health and Safety Executive‘s latest action follows increasing concern about the risks associated with engineered stone.
Engineered stone is widely used in kitchen worktops because it offers the appearance of natural stone at a lower cost. However, cutting, polishing and shaping these materials can release respirable crystalline silica (RCS), an extremely fine dust that can be inhaled deep into the lungs.
Under the new guidance, the HSE has made it clear that dry cutting engineered stone is unacceptable. Inspectors have also begun a programme of more than 1,000 visits to fabrication businesses across Britain to assess whether suitable controls are in place.
The announcement reflects growing concern among medical professionals and workplace safety experts that silicosis is becoming a significant occupational health issue.
While the guidance focuses on preventing future illness, it also raises questions about whether workers who have already developed silicosis were adequately protected in the first place.
The hidden health risks behind the kitchen worktop boom
Quartz worktops have become one of the most popular choices for modern kitchens. Yet while homeowners see an attractive finished product, workers often face a very different reality during the manufacturing process.
The danger comes from the dust generated when engineered stone is:
- Cut
- Ground
- Polished
- Drilled
- Finished for installation
Many engineered stone products contain high levels of crystalline silica. When these materials are worked on, tiny dust particles can become airborne and enter the lungs.
One of the challenges is that the risks aren’t always obvious. Many workers may not realise the long-term consequences of repeated exposure until symptoms begin to develop.
That’s why proper training, supervision and effective dust-control measures are essential wherever engineered stone is regularly handled.
Why experts are comparing silicosis to asbestos
Several experts have drawn comparisons between silicosis and the asbestos crisis.
The comparison reflects concerns about how workplace diseases develop and how long it can take for the full scale of a risk to become apparent.
Like asbestos-related illnesses, silicosis can be caused by repeated exposure to hazardous dust over time. Workers may continue in their jobs long before symptoms appear. By the time a diagnosis is made, significant damage may already have occurred.
The comparison also highlights the importance of acting early. Lessons learned from asbestos show the consequences of failing to address workplace health risks before large numbers of workers become ill.
For solicitors handling occupational disease claims, this is a familiar challenge. Establishing when exposure occurred and whether adequate protections were in place often requires detailed investigation many years after the event.
Are current workplace protections enough?
The HSE believes silicosis is preventable if the correct controls are used consistently.
Common protective measures include:
- Wet cutting systems
- Dust suppression equipment
- Local exhaust ventilation
- Suitable respiratory protective equipment (PPE)
- Worker training
- Health monitoring
PPE refers to equipment like specialist masks or respirators designed to reduce exposure to harmful substances.
The question is whether they are being implemented properly across the industry.
Employers already have a duty of care to identify workplace hazards and take reasonable steps to protect employees from foreseeable risks. In industries where silica dust exposure is a known danger, those responsibilities are particularly important.
Where protections are absent, inadequate or poorly enforced, workers may later seek legal advice about occupational disease claims and employer accountability.
Should engineered stone be banned in the UK?
The discussion surrounding engineered stone has moved beyond workplace safety measures alone.
Australia became the first country to introduce a nationwide ban on engineered stone products after concerns about rising cases of silicosis among workers. Similar discussions have taken place elsewhere as regulators consider how best to address the risks.
Supporters of a ban argue that removing the product entirely would eliminate the source of exposure.
Others believe that engineered stone can continue to be used safely if strict controls are properly enforced.
Whatever position is ultimately adopted, workers shouldn’t have to choose between earning a living and protecting their long-term health.
The focus must remain on ensuring that anyone working with silica-containing materials has the knowledge, equipment and support needed to work safely.
What legal rights do workers have if they develop silicosis?
Silicosis is classed as an occupational disease when it develops because of workplace exposure.
If a worker develops a condition linked to silica dust, there may be circumstances where legal action can be considered. Every case is different, but investigations will typically focus on whether employers took reasonable steps to reduce the risk of exposure.
This may include examining:
- Workplace risk assessments
- Dust-control measures
- Training records
- Health surveillance arrangements
- Provision of respiratory protection
- Working practices within the business
Occupational disease cases can be complex because exposure may have occurred over many years or across multiple employers.
At Express Solicitors, our team regularly handles industrial disease claims involving long-term workplace exposure. Seeking legal advice at an early stage can help preserve evidence and establish whether further investigation may be appropriate.
What should you do if you’re concerned about silica dust exposure?
Anyone concerned about workplace exposure should take the issue seriously. Here are a few practical steps to take:
- Seek medical advice if symptoms develop
- Keep records of employment history
- Retain workplace documentation where possible
- Make a note of the materials worked with
- Record details of dust-control measures used
Workers who have already received a diagnosis may also wish to seek legal advice to better understand their position and whether further investigation may be warranted.
Make a quartz worktop silicosis claim
The HSE’s intervention reflects growing concern about the risks associated with engineered stone and silica dust exposure.
While the new guidance is intended to prevent future cases, it also highlights broader questions about workplace safety and employer responsibility. For workers already affected by silicosis, those questions can be deeply personal.
Occupational diseases are often preventable. Where workers have developed serious illness following workplace exposure, understanding what happened and whether proper protections were in place can be an important step towards finding answers.
If you’ve developed silicosis or another workplace-related respiratory condition, Express Solicitors can provide expert advice on your legal options and whether a claim may be possible. Simply get in touch with our experts to begin.
Quartz worktop silicosis claim FAQs
What is silicosis?
Silicosis is an irreversible lung disease caused by inhaling respirable crystalline silica dust. It causes scarring within the lungs and can lead to breathing difficulties and other long-term health problems.
Why are quartz worktops linked to silicosis?
Engineered stone used in quartz worktops can contain high levels of crystalline silica. Cutting, grinding and polishing the material can release hazardous dust into the air.
Has engineered stone been banned in the UK?
No. Engineered stone has not been banned in the UK. However, the HSE has introduced new guidance aimed at reducing exposure risks.
Can workers claim compensation for silicosis?
In some circumstances, workers diagnosed with silicosis may be able to pursue a claim if their illness was caused by workplace exposure and appropriate safety measures were not in place.
What evidence may help support a claim?
Evidence can include medical records, employment history, workplace safety documents, witness evidence and information about the conditions in which the worker carried out their duties.