Engineered stone used in kitchen worktops and banned in Australia causes deadly lung disease

Health and Safety Executive (HSE) guidance published yesterday on safer working with engineered stone, which is used to make kitchen worktops and other construction materials, is inadequate, Unite, the UK’s lead union, has said.

Engineered stone is banned in Australia because its dust when cut causes silicosis, which is a deadly lung disease.

Thousands of UK workers are having their health put at risk as the man-made material is widely used throughout the construction and manufacturing sectors. Rising numbers of workers are being diagnosed with silicosis after being exposed.

The HSE guidance includes that water suppression techniques must be used when cutting engineered stone.

Unite is calling for a full ban as the HSE guidance fails to require adequate control for exposure and is unachievable for localised fitting, cutting and finishing of stone worktops in people’s kitchens and living areas.

Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “Engineered stone is causing serious preventable illness and death amongst workers. The HSE guidance is inadequate – the UK needs to follow Australia’s example and ban this deadly material outright.”

Unite is calling on members of the public to sign a petition demanding the government ban engineered stone.

The union, with the assistance of Thompsons Solicitors, also maintains a register for workers who believe they have been exposed to silica dust at work.

Unite national officer for construction Jason Poulter said: “We urge workers who are concerned they have been exposed to silica dust to join Unite and complete the register. This will help hold employers to account now and in the future.

“Engineered stone is a dangerous material, and people should not be exposed to its dust – Unite will not stop fighting until it’s use in the UK is ended.”

ENDS

For media enquires ONLY contact senior Unite communications officer Ryan Fletcher on 07849 090215 or 020 3371 2065.

Email: ryan.fletcher@unitetheunion.org

Unite is Britain and Ireland’s largest union with members working across all sectors of the economy. The general secretary is Sharon Graham.