Silica dust has been a known occupational health hazard for decades. So why is it making headlines again in 2026? Because workers are still getting sick – and dying – from a disease that is entirely preventable. The HSE has had enough, and it’s acting.
In May 2026, the Health and Safety Executive launched its most significant intervention in this area to date: new COSHH guidance specifically covering engineered stone, and a programme of over 1,000 workplace inspections across Great Britain. Enforcement action is expected where businesses fall short.
What is silica dust, and why does it matter?
Respirable crystalline silica (RCS) is a fine dust released when certain materials are cut, drilled, ground, or polished. It’s invisible to the naked eye – but breathe it in regularly and the consequences can be devastating. Silicosis, lung cancer, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) are all linked to silica exposure. These conditions are irreversible. By the time symptoms appear, the damage is already done.
The HSE estimates that silica dust contributes to more than 500 deaths every year among construction workers alone. And it’s not just about construction.
Who is at risk?
This is where many employers make a dangerous assumption. Silica exposure isn’t limited to building sites. It’s a significant hazard anywhere materials containing crystalline silica are worked on – and that includes:
Engineered stone fabricators and installers – kitchen and bathroom worktops can contain up to 95% crystalline silica
Stonemasons and stone restoration specialists
Demolition and refurbishment workers
Quarrying and aggregates
Ceramic and brick manufacturing
The HSE’s latest crackdown was triggered in part by the deaths of young workers in the engineered stone sector – people working in workshops fitting kitchen worktops, not on building sites. If your workforce handles any silica-containing materials, this guidance is relevant to you.
What does the HSE now expect?
The new COSHH guidance is clear about what’s required. Dry cutting of engineered stone should stop. Water suppression is the preferred control method. Beyond that, employers must:
Review and update COSHH risk assessments specifically for silica exposure
Ensure dust controls – LEV systems, wet suppression equipment – are properly maintained
Provide and fit-test appropriate respiratory protective equipment (RPE)
Put health surveillance in place for regularly exposed workers
That last point matters. Health surveillance isn’t just a nice-to-have – for workers regularly exposed to silica, it’s a legal requirement under COSHH.
The bottom line for employers
With inspections already underway and enforcement action expected, now is the time to act rather than wait. Review your COSHH assessments. Check your controls are working. And make sure health surveillance is genuinely in place – not just on paper.
If you’d like support reviewing your silica risk assessments or setting up a health surveillance programme for your workforce, get in touch with our team.
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