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Work Right

Working with Engineered Stone

Essential controls

Guidance on the controls required for cutting and polishing engineered stone. 

Close up of angle grinder with polishing attachment and water suppression on a block of marble worktop

Resources

Access advice for workers, leaflets and more useful information.

Artificial Stone material slabs

Training

What training and supervision is needed.

Stone worker sat at work table looking at a laptop screen

Protect workers from harmful dust ​

​This information is for fabricators, installers and distributors of engineered stone – including managers and supervisors. ​

​Engineered stone is widely used in kitchen worktops and can contain up to 95% respirable crystalline silica (RCS). Where possible, you should work with stone containing the lowest RCS content.​

​The cutting, grinding and polishing of engineered stone can generate high levels of fine dust containing RCS. If the dust is inhaled, it can cause devastating lung diseases including silicosis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and lung cancer.​

​Although irreversible, these diseases are preventable with the right controls.​

Control the risk​

  • Use on tool water suppression​
  • Control the mist generated​
  • Use powered air purifying respirators (PAPR) ​

Other important steps that should be taken include:​

  • organising your work area and limiting access to authorised and appropriately trained people​
  • regular cleaning, that includes no dry brushing or disturbing dried dust from overspray or slurry​
  • providing suitable coveralls, footwear and gloves.​

Regular health checks​

Providing regular health surveillance is one of the essential requirements alongside effective controls.​

Find out more information in the sections above.

Additional information and guidance

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Which materials have lower RCS content