News Update 

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has issued the first Prohibition Notices under its nationwide inspection programme targeting the engineered stone industry, marking a significant escalation in efforts to tackle workplace exposure to respirable crystalline silica (RCS).

Four businesses have been ordered to stop working with engineered stone after HSE inspectors identified serious failings in the controls needed to protect workers from harmful silica dust exposure. The notices require work to cease immediately until adequate safety measures are in place.

The enforcement action follows the launch of a major HSE campaign in May 2026, which was prompted by growing concerns about cases of accelerated silicosis in younger workers. Silicosis is an incurable lung disease caused by inhaling respirable crystalline silica and can develop far more rapidly when working with engineered stone products, which may contain up to 95% silica.

As part of the campaign, the HSE has published new guidance making clear that dry cutting of engineered stone is unacceptable due to the high levels of silica dust generated during the process. Research cited by the regulator found that dry fabrication can result in workers being exposed to between five and ten times more respirable silica dust than equivalent wet-cutting methods.

The regulator has announced plans to carry out more than 1,000 inspections across Great Britain over the next 12 months, with enforcement action promised where employers fail to meet their legal duties.

What employers should be doing

The latest enforcement action serves as a timely reminder that exposure to silica dust remains one of the most serious occupational health risks in construction, manufacturing and fabrication environments.

Employers working with engineered stone should ensure they have:

• Suitable dust controls in place, including water suppression systems.
• Appropriate respiratory protective equipment (RPE) for workers.
• Effective training and supervision.
• Adequate health surveillance programmes.
• Reviewed their COSHH assessments to ensure silica risks are properly managed.

Don’t assume silica is only an engineered stone problem

The recent enforcement activity has focused on engineered stone, but the underlying health risk is silica dust. Many natural stone products, as well as concrete and masonry, contain crystalline silica. If your work involves cutting, drilling, grinding or polishing these materials, you should be assessing exposure risks, implementing effective dust controls, providing appropriate RPE and considering health surveillance where necessary. The important question isn’t whether the material is engineered stone – it’s whether workers could be breathing in harmful levels of respirable silica dust.

The occupational health perspective

While enforcement has understandably made headlines, the wider issue is one of prevention. Occupational lung disease often develops gradually and can cause irreversible harm long before symptoms become apparent. Effective health surveillance, regular monitoring and robust dust control measures remain critical for identifying risks early and protecting workers’ long-term health.

The HSE’s latest action signals a clear message to employers: controlling silica dust exposure is not simply a compliance issue – it is a fundamental occupational health responsibility.

Source: The Health & Safety Executive (May and June 2026 announcements on engineered stone guidance, inspections and enforcement action).