A charity is calling for urgent action to prevent workers from developing silicosis after the UK’s first cases are confirmed.
Silicosis is lung disease with no known cure, which is caused by the inhalation of tiny crystalline particles of silica. Silica is a naturally occurring mineral found in stone.
Silica is commonly used in the manufacturing and finishing processes of engineered stone worktops. However, the British Occupational Hygiene Society (BOHS) is pleading for better protection for workers, as engineered stone is an increasingly more popular material in recent years.
Currently, such materials are largely imported but are often undergo the finishing process in the UK, which is potentially putting workers at risk of inhaling silica dust.
In other parts of the world, Australia announced a ban on engineered stone worktops from July this year in order to prevent workers from developing silicosis. In the United States, the health and safety regulator has intensified inspections of engineered stone installation and fabrication industries.
The BOHS claims that there have been a minimum of three confirmed UK cases of silicosis, but currently the Health and Safety Executive has not yet looked into the restriction of use of engineered stone products.
In the House of Lords in January, work and pensions minister Lord Leckie said:
“The Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations already require employers to put in place measures to prevent workers being exposed to respirable crystalline silica.
“This includes adequate controls ensuring compliance with the workplace exposure limit and health surveillance identifying potential ill health. HSE keeps requirements for reporting occupational diseases under review and is not currently making silicosis reportable.”
Labour peer Lord Campbell-Savours stated:
“Engineered stone is primarily quartz; if cut wet, there is little problem but, if cut dry, it can lead to dust and lung problems and may well require further regulation. This is a problem primarily in Europe, as there is now very little dry-cut activity in the United Kingdom.”
BOHS president Alex Wilson said:
“Accurate diagnosis of silicosis is difficult and it can easily be mistaken for a more common complaint, sarcoidosis, for example,” he said.
“It’s an old problem in a new and nasty guise. Like so many occupational diseases, it is really quite easy to prevent, but impossible to cure.
“It’s vital that anyone potentially being exposed to the engineered stone industry has access to appropriate medical surveillance, but more importantly, it’s vital that proper dust controls are used at all times. Anyone who isn’t sure if their controls are good enough needs to get expert advice from an occupational hygienist.”
BOHS chief executive Professor Kevin Bampton stated:
“The Society has provided feedback to the Health and Safety Executive on areas where current guidance provided by the regulator might be further strengthened to ensure that industry provides effective controls and maintains vigilance.
“It also supports the work of an All-Party Parliamentary Group which is considering effective legislative and policy means to protect workers.
“Calls for a ban are not going to save lives, but education, proper workplace controls and awareness of the risks will.”
Further reading
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