HSE cracks down on dry cutting of engineered stone

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has issued new guidance banning dry cutting of engineered stone due to the high risk of silicosis and other lung diseases. The change comes following the deaths of two young workers from silicosis in recent years.

As well as the new guidance, HSE will conduct over 1,000 inspections across Great Britain over the next year, with enforcement action for businesses that fail to use proper controls such as water‑suppressed cutting, low‑silica materials, RPE and health surveillance.

HSE recently shared how occupational health is one of its key focuses due to continuing high levels of occupational diseases (particularly lung diseases) reported. It has focused efforts on inspections on occupational health management over the last year.