The Health and Safety Executive has announced a major package of measures to protect workers from the dangers of engineered stone dust including silicosis, a deadly-but-preventable lung disease caused by breathing in silica dust released during stone cutting. The package includes the publication of new guidance, making clear that dry cutting of engineered stone is unacceptable and that water suppression techniques, already used by many industry leaders, are how businesses should meet the legal requirement.
Engineered stone is artificial stone manufactured using crushed natural stone or minerals bonded together with resin. When ‘worked’, such as by cutting or drilling, the task can create dust, which can be breathed in. Silica dust fine enough to reach deep inside the lungs is known as respirable crystalline silica (RCS).
Inhalation of RCS can cause irreversible lung damage, silicosis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and lung cancer. The damage to health may be done before any symptoms appear. Silicosis can continue to worsen even after exposure to RCS stops.
Under the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations (COSHH), employers must assess and control workers’ exposure to RCS.
Steps you can take to control RCS dust risk from cutting, grinding and polishing engineered stone using powered handheld rotary tools include:
Other practical stapes include the segregation of the work area for tasks that create dust and mist, only allowing access to authorised and appropriately trained individuals, providing an adequate supply of clean water and working within a partially enclosed and externally vented local exhaust ventilation (LEV) booth to control mist.
Dust and silica have long been a key focus of the HSE and duty holders experiencing unannounced visits, inspections or investigations for unrelated issues can expect the HSE inspectors to explore the COSHH measures in place. One particular practical issue that the Keoghs Crime and Regulatory team has seen time and time again is the use of tight-fitting RPE and other face protection by a duty holder’s staff while they have facial hair, even stubble. In accordance with the newly published guidance, the Inspectors will be pushing for evidence of ‘clean shaven’ policies.
The guidance released by the HSE can be found here:
https://www.hse.gov.uk/stonemasonry/working-engineered-stone-control-silica-risk.htm
It is aimed at people whose responsibilities include the management of substances hazardous to health at work (such as occupational health specialists, anyone undertaking COSHH assessments and supervisors; it is also useful for trade union and employee safety representatives). It will help you carry out COSHH assessments, review existing assessments, deliver training, and supervise activities involving substances hazardous to health.
Should you wish to discuss any aspect of the HSE guidance further please do not hesitate to contact David Rainey.
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