Silica in Stoneworking
CONTROL EXPOSURE TO KEEP WORKERS SAFE
Respirable crystalline silica (RCS) is generated during the working of stone in the stone manufacturing, processes such as cutting, chiselling and polishing, can generate high levels of stone dust containing RCS. When these materials are worked, dust is created which may be fine enough to be breathed deep into the lungs and cause devastating lung diseases including silicosis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and lung cancer. These lung diseases ruin not only the lives of those that are suffering, but also their friends and families lives. Although irreversible, these diseases are preventable.
WHAT EMPLOYERS NEED TO KNOW
Exposure to RCS is subject to the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 2002 (COSHH). As an employer, you are legally responsible for taking effective measures to control exposure and protect workers’ health. These measures can also improve production or cut waste.
Effective control is likely to be achieved by a mixture of controls including local exhaust ventilation (LEV) for dust extraction, respiratory protection equipment (RPE), water suppression and process changes.
The amount of dust workers are exposed to depends on a numbers of factors including:
- the type of stone they are working (including both natural and artificial/engineered stone);
- the type of tool they are using and whether it is a powered or hand held tool
- how long they are working with the tool;
- how well you are using any extraction system (local exhaust ventilation);
- the effectiveness of a mask (respiratory protective equipment);
- how your workshop is organised (including segregation of dusty activities and housekeeping arrangements).
Task specific advice for stonework
Stonework task specific advice can be found on the COSHH sheets here: Stoneworkers – COSHH e-tool (hse.gov.uk)
This includes advice on primary and secondary sawing, rotary tools, cutting and polishing and sawing slate.
HEALTH SURVEILLANCE
Health surveillance for silicosis should be considered for workers who are involved in high-risk occupations, including cutting, chiselling
and polishing.
