UK Shuts Down Shops in Silicosis Sweep
LONDON – Four companies have been ordered to stop working with engineered stone as part of a crackdown to protect workers from respirable crystalline silica (RCS) in the United Kingdom.
The notices, issues following visits by inspectors from the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) (the British version of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, or OSHA).
The notices require the businesses to stop work immediately and take steps to improve safety. Each of the firms was found to have a lack of control measures in place to keep employees safe while working with engineered stone.
HSE announced a package of measures in May to protect workers from the dangers of respirable crystalline silica. It followed concern about the deaths of workers from silicosis, a deadly lung disease caused by breathing RCS.
New guidance from HSE made it clear that dry-cutting of engineered stone is unacceptable. The regulator plans to conduct more than 1,000 inspections as part of a nationwide campaign that will run through 2026.
Harvey Wild, head of operations at HSE, said work has been stopped at workplaces due to serious failures to provide correct controls.
“Silicosis is incurable, but it is entirely preventable,” said Wild. “No worker should lose their life to a lung disease caused by their job, and that is why we have taken this action.”
The Minister for Social Security and Disability, Sir Stephen Timms, echoed Wild’s statement.
“Every worker deserves to come home safe, without fear of losing their life to a preventable, deadly lung disease caused by their job,” Timms said. “The enforcement action taken by HSE sends a clear message that putting workers at risk of silicosis – an entirely preventable but devastate disease – is completely unacceptable.”
HSE also notes the availability of lower-content silica engineered stone. Its guidelines for shops list switching to engineered stone with a lower silica content, along with using on-tool water suppression, providing appropriate respiratory protection and carrying out regular health maintenance.
