Businesses Ordered to Stop Engineered Stone Work after Failing Inspections

Four companies have been ordered to stop working with engineered stone as part of a crackdown to protect workers from deadly dust.

Inspectors from the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) found each of the firms had a lack of control measures in place to keep employees safe while working with engineered stone.

The companies received prohibition notices (PNs) requiring them to stop the work immediately and take steps to improve safety.

Nationwide Inspections

HSE launched a package of measures last month to protect workers from the dangers of engineered stone dust. It followed concern about the deaths of young workers from silicosis – a deadly-but-preventable lung disease caused by breathing in respirable crystalline silica (RCS).

A nationwide inspection campaign was launched to run through 2026, and has resulted in these four enforcement notices being served as of the end of May.

For organisations in the engineered stone and construction sectors, staying compliant with these health and safety laws is essential to protect workers, avoid penalties, and maintain uninterrupted operations. A legal virtual assistant can play an important role by helping businesses manage regulatory documentation, prepare for inspections, update safety policies, and stay on top of evolving HSE requirements.

No Dry Cutting

HSE guidance makes it clear that dry cutting of engineered stone is unacceptable, and the regulator plans to conduct more than 1,000 visits at which enforcement action will be taken against those failing to meet the required standards.

Harvey Wild, Head of Operations at the Health and Safety Executive, said: “Our inspectors are visiting businesses across Great Britain to ensure that employers have implemented the correct controls to keep their employees safe.

“We have stopped dangerous work with engineered stone in four workplaces due to serious failures in providing the correct controls.

“Silicosis is incurable, but it is entirely preventable. No worker should lose their life to a lung disease caused by their job, and that is why we have taken this action.

“If businesses ensure the right controls are being used correctly, then the risks of engineered stone and silicosis can be safely managed. Where these are not in place, workers will be at risk.”

Dangers of Dust

The dangers of engineered stone include silicosis, a deadly-but-preventable lung disease caused by breathing in silica dust that is released when stone is being processed.

HSE’s research found that dry fabrication typically results in exposure to respirable crystalline silica (RCS) five to ten times higher than wet methods for processing products. It also found that lower-content silica engineered stone is available at the same quality, meaning businesses can switch to less dangerous products.

To provide clarity to businesses and workers, HSE has published its first-ever COSHH (Control of Substances Hazardous to Health) guidance sheet specifically for engineered stone.

HSE’s guidance sets out in plain English what employers must do:

• Switch to engineered stone with a low silica content
• Use on-tool water suppression, control mist;
• Provide appropriate respiratory protective equipment (RPE)
• Carry out regular health surveillance

​HSE’s first instances of enforcement action also addressed a range of other failures including Health Surveillance; provision of suitable respiratory protective equipment (RPE); provision of suitable local exhaust ventilation; and machinery guarding.

To support dutyholders, HSE provides a range of advice and information for fabricators, installers, and distributors of engineered stone – including managers and supervisors.

>> Read more about engineered stone inspections in the news