INDUSTRY RISKS
· STONE INDUSTRY

An estimated 600,000 workers are exposed to silica in the UK each year according to the British Safety Council, which is generated in various different ways across multiple occupational environments, including stonemasonry and worktop manufacturing.

• Institution of Occupational Safety and Health magazine reports more than 230 million workers worldwide are exposed to crystalline silica each year, linked to engineered stone
• According to British Safety Council, an estimated 600,000 workers are exposed to silica in the UK each year, with causes  linked to use of engineered stone
• Lung Foundation Australia reports up to 600,000 Australian workers are currently exposed to silica dust with key links to engineered stone use

• Construction dust
• Fine engineered stone
• Respirable dusts
• Respirable Crystalline Silica (RCS)

• Drilling + chiselling stone
• Grinding + cutting stone
• Lack of wet methods
• Polishing stone
• Poor ventilation
• Use of engineered stone over natural stone