HSE publishes simplified advice for installers of stone worktops

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has published a helpful guide on the do's and don'ts for people installing stone worktops.

The guidance is designed to remind duty holders and workers that suitable procedures and controls must be in place to help protect against exposure to stone dust and prevent workers from breathing in respirable crystalline silica (RCS).

Stone workers are at risk of exposure to airborne particles of stone dust containing RCS when processing stone, including engineered stone by cutting, chiselling and polishing.

Over time, breathing in these silica particles can cause irreversible, life-changing and often fatal respiratory conditions such as silicosis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and lung cancer.

The guidance covers:

• competent staff and effective processes;
• pre-installation;
• on-site installation; and
• post-installation.

Here are just some of the important steps that can be taken to minimise the risk of exposure:

• installers should understand the risks of processing stone and how to use suitable controls;
• worktops should be pre-fabricated so further processing on site is avoided;
• water suppression or on-tool extraction with a shroud and dust collector attached to an M-class vacuum should be used to control any dust generated;
• respiratory protective equipment with an assigned protection factor (APF) of at least 20 should be worn when processing the stone;
• cleaning should be done by using wet methods or dust class M vacuum to prevent creation of dust.

Employers have a legal duty to create suitable arrangements to manage health and safety and ensure they comply with the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations SI 2002/2677 (COSHH). Businesses should have in place effective control measures, including:

• combinations of the enclosure and automation of processing equipment;
• use of water suppression;
• control of any mist generated; and
• personal protective equipment such as RPE,

to reduce workers' exposure to the RCS.

Mike Calcutt, Deputy Director at Health and Work, said: "HSE will continue to work with industry stakeholders to raise awareness of managing the risks from exposure to respirable crystalline silica. It’s important that businesses act now to ensure they comply with the law and protect their workers from serious lung diseases".

"Great Britain has a robust and well-established regulatory framework in place to protect workers from the health risks associated with exposure to hazardous substances. We want employers and workers to make sure they are aware of the risks associated with the activities they do, and that’s why we are sending this reminder".

"HSE’s inspectors have often found poor management of control measures including water suppression, dust extraction, equipment maintenance, cleaning and RPE provision. Employers should ensure suitable control measures are properly used and maintained".

For more information on this subject, see:

• Do's and don'ts for installing stone worktops;
• HSG201: Controlling exposure to stone dust;
• INDG463: Control of exposure to silica dust;
• G404: Health surveillance for those exposed to respirable crystalline silica (RCS);
• ST0: Advice for managers;
• ST1: Primary and secondary sawing;
• ST2: Rotary tools - Automated boring and polishing using rotary tools;
• ST3: Cutting and polishing using hand-held rotary tools;
• ST4: Hand and pneumatic chiselling;
• ST5: Sawing slate;
• ST6: Slate splitting (Manual);
• ST7: Dressing slate (edge bevelling);
• Installing stone worktops: protect against harmful natural or artificial stone dust.