Smaller, non-power tools such as chisels can generate high levels of respirable dust, such as silica, in stone works. A vital job for creating features and designs within stone, this process requires chipping and breaking down part of the stone into fine dust as a byproduct, which becomes airborne and poses significant risk to workers.
CNC machines use a computerised operation to cut and shape large slabs of marble and other materials in stone works, often generating dust as a byproduct. Without proper dust control measures, such as water to damp down the dust or dust extraction units added on the machine, it can become airborne and easily inhalable.
Dust can be generated from handheld drills, grinders and other power tools used in stone works. The high intensity from the automation of these tools means stones are ground and broken down faster, leading to higher levels of airborne dust, especially in and around the breathing zone of those using the power tools.
It’s not just on CNC machinery where water-controlled processes are essential to limiting dust control. Any large machinery jobs involving polishing, cutting and finishing generates high levels of respirable dust which, and without effective water-control to dampen the dust making it heavier, dust subsequently becomes airborne.
As there are various different ways respirable dust can be generated in stone work industries, it’s essential that maintenance is as effective in relation to the workplace you’re in to prevent further dust generation. Dry sweeping, lack of dust extraction and general ignorance of the issue can lead to dormant dust not being dealt with properly.
Arguably the most well-known and common risk associated with exposure to hazardous dusts in the workplace relate to occupational lung diseases. Diseases such as Silicosis, Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), Black Lung Disease and occupational lung cancer all are associated with dust inhalation in the workplace.
Whilst long-term exposure to breathing in dust can lead to lung diseases, initial, short-term exposure to hazardous dusts can lead to respiratory illness and irritation. Breathing in dust such as Respirable Crystalline Silica (RCS) and wood dust can cause serious respiratory diseases; the NHS claim it’s the third biggest cause of death in England.
Exposure to breathing in hazardous dust can lead to cardiovascular diseases and other heart and blood vessel issues. Dust and hazardous particulates can easily travel through your bloodstream and deep into your lungs, damaging your blood vessels in the process. This can increase blood pressure and make it more likely to give you blood clots.
The British Thoracic Society reports that occupational asthma is responsible for roughly 1/6 cases of adult-onset asthma. Occupational asthma can be caused by various types of dust in multiple different industries, such as flour dust, wood dust, grain dust and various fumes from metals.
There have been examples of various other health concerns relating to workplace exposure to hazardous dust. Skin, eye and nose irritation, as well as some rare examples of kidney disease have all been linked to examples where workers have failed to protect themselves against hazardous dust.
This news comes after cases of silicosis linked to engineered stone exposure recently came to light globally. Workers who have been exposed to engineered stone quartz and dust are now being affected by and diagnosed with severe lung problems, linked to inhaling such dust. Earlier in the year, it had prompted the Australian government to act and ban the use, manufacturing, and production of engineered stone across the entire country.
Now the UK is being urged to do the same, with the first cases of occupational silicosis related to engineered stone production have now been reported in the country. Various medical staff who have treated workers diagnosed with these cases of silicosis are calling for similar action to be taken in the UK as in Australia.
According to British newspaper i the first 8 cases of silicosis linked to engineered stone use have been confirmed, all of which are men. The average age of the 8 men is 34, with the youngest to be diagnosed just 27 years old. Of the 8 cases, 1 man has died, and 2 others have been referred for lung transplant assessments.
The article from i features an interview with one of the diagnosed workers, Malik al-Khalil, a stonemason who is just 31. After working with engineered stone for 5 years, Malik was diagnosis with silicosis, contracted after cutting engineered stone slabs in a small London workshop. Malik said, “I want to let all the people working in this work know what’s happening from this material” and believes the only solution to this growing problem is a nationwide ban of the product; “Of course [it should be banned] because the silicosis is coming from this material.”
It’s not just Malik and fellow diagnoses patients who are calling for engineered stone to be banned in the UK. Dr Johanna Feary, a respiratory consultant from the Royal Brompton Hospital where Malik al-Khalil is being treated, and lead author for ‘Thorax’, has also highlighted her concerns over exposed to the product. Dr Feary told i “We’ve been anticipating that we would start seeing cases in the UK at some point. That moment has arrived now.”
The team of doctors writing in ‘Thorax’, who highlighted the first 8 cases, have also called for a legal requirement to report cases of silicosis, as well as calling for the implementation of health and safety regulation for both small companies and national guidelines to treat and monitor for silicosis.
