SILICA & SILICOSIS
WHAT IS SILICA?
Silica is one of the most common compounds on earth. Crystalline silica commonly occurs in nature as the mineral quartz, and is found in granite, sandstone, quartzite, various other rocks, and sand. It is comprised of two chemical elements: silicon and oxygen (silicon dioxide; SiO2).
It is a component of many manufactured products in daily use, such as glass, pottery and quartz surfaces; and of construction materials such as bricks, blocks, tiles, slabs, cement, ceramic and concrete.
WHAT IS SILICOSIS?
Silicosis is an occupational disease that has been known about for more than a century. It may affect workers in the stone fabrication industry when fabricating marble, granite, quartz surfaces and other natural stones without safety measures.
Silicosis is an incurable, progressively disabling and sometimes fatal lung disease. It is caused by unprotected and uncontrolled ongoing occupational exposure to respirable crystalline silica (RCS) particles, without the protective health and safety measures required by law.
Silicosis and other diseases associated with RCS are 100% preventable with the correct safety measures, such as wet cutting in place and the use of effective respiratory protection measures.
SILICA DUST HAZARD CONTROL
Exposure can be reduced and controlled if the proper safety measures are implemented. These measures include, among others, installing proper engineering controls (ventilation and filtration), working with CNC machines and water-injected tools, and using appropriate respiratory protection.
In order to control and reduce/eliminate the health risks associated with crystalline silica, we recommend that a Silica Control Plan be implemented in the workplace in accordance with all the applicable laws, regulations, orders and directives. This program should be reviewed on a regular basis or whenever there is any change to the work environment or daily workflow.
WHY IT’S IN THE NEWS
WFF were asked by Andrew Davies of KBB Review to address kitchen retailers’ understanding of stone worktops – especially in the light of some of the unhelpful headlines that have been appearing about silica dust.
One of our directors, Andy Phillips, gave Andrew an interview while we were at the Hard Surfaces show 2023. Tap the image below to play/listen:
BANNING STONE WORKTOPS won’t save lives
The British Occupational Hygiene Society says that there is no reason for Britain to follow Australia’s lead in banning engineered stone worktops.
STATEMENT BY THE TECHNISTONE COMPANY
The risks of working with Engineered Stone.
WFF FAQ’s
RESTRICTING QUARTZ
NSS reports how Australia is moving a step closer to restricting the use of Quartz.
SILICOSIS DANGER
Interior designers alerted to Australian talk of banning engineered stone.
silestone dust case
Cosentino settles 15-year legal dispute around warning workers to take care around Silestone dust.
COSENTINO STATEMENT
In response to the recent news published regarding the judgment of a case involving Cosentino, the company would like to express the following…
APPG REPORT
Parliamentarians seek feasibility study on improving Silicosis Outcomes in the UK.
WORKPLACE EXPOSURE LIMITS
Granite Tops UK, Case Study - Reducing the Workplace Exposure Limits(WEL) in the air.