The Health and Safety Executive's (HSE) latest action on engineered stone represents an important step in tackling occupational lung disease.
Speaking recently at UNITE NISC, Thompsons Solicitors' Daniel Poet highlighted the growing concerns around respirable crystalline silica dust and the urgent need for stronger protections for workers.
For years, workers cutting, grinding and polishing engineered stone have faced exposure to respirable crystalline silica dust, putting them at risk of developing silicosis – a serious, irreversible and potentially fatal disease. Crucially, silicosis is preventable.
The HSE's new guidance, ST3A, was introduced following growing evidence linking engineered stone work to serious illness, including cases involving younger workers. Its findings reinforce concerns long held by occupational health specialists: without effective controls, workers can be exposed to dangerous levels of silica dust with life-changing consequences.
One of the clearest messages from the guidance is that dry cutting of engineered stone is no longer acceptable. Employers are now expected to use water suppression systems during cutting, grinding and polishing, provide suitable respiratory protective equipment, maintain clean workplaces and offer appropriate health surveillance where exposure risks exist.
The guidance is backed by enforcement. The HSE has announced more than 1,000 inspections across the sector, sending a clear message that protecting workers' health is not optional. As highlighted during the UNITE NISC presentation, silica exposure remains one of the most significant occupational health risks facing workers today. 
Workers in fabrication workshops, stonemasonry businesses and related trades should consider whether adequate protections were in place. Were safe cutting methods used? Was suitable respiratory protection provided? Were the risks clearly explained? Were health checks offered?
These questions matter because the consequences can be severe. Silicosis causes permanent lung scarring, breathlessness and reduced lung function, often affecting not only workers but also their families through financial and personal uncertainty. The HSE's intervention should be welcomed. The risks associated with silica dust are well understood, and so are the measures needed to reduce them. No worker should suffer preventable lung damage simply for doing their job.