7 May Silicosis in stonemasonry: A preventable but serious risk The i Paper’s ‘Killer kitchens’ campaign has been raising awareness about the dangers of silica dust in stonemasonry. The campaign has received support from MPs, health experts and trade unions, calling for tougher regulations for workers at risk. What is the risk? Silicosis is a serious, irreversible lung disease caused by breathing in respirable crystalline silica (RCS) dust, which is created when stone, brick, concrete or engineered stone is cut, ground or polished. The damage can continue even after exposure stops, and RCS is also linked with COPD and lung cancer. Silicosis is a progressive disease, requiring early diagnosis and treatment. At present, there are no mandatory screening processes in place in the United Kingdom. Professor Neil Greenberg, president of the Society of Occupational Medicine said: “If you’re working in an industry that uses asbestos, you have to have occupational health professionals advise you and do the surveillance. And so we would say, because the kitchen countertop industry is one which exposes people to the risk of a serious illness – silicosis, it’s like asbestos – there should be similar mandates that they must have access to occupational health.” Who is affected? Stonemasons are a key at-risk group, but they are not alone. The HSE identifies workers in stone working, constructio n, quarrying, ceramics, foundries and worktop manufacture/installation as being at risk where silica-containing materials are processed. Concern has grown sharply around younger men working with engineered stone kitchen worktops, with recent UK reporting warning that more cases are likely to be found as awareness improves. Signs and symptoms One of the biggest concerns with silicosis is that harmful exposure may cause damage before symptoms appear. When symptoms do develop, they can often be misdiagnosed. Symptoms include: Shortness of breath A persistent cough Wheezing Phlegm and frequent or prolonged chest infections Recent reporting also highlights concerns that some younger workers have initially been misdiagnosed with sarcoidosis, delaying the correct diagnosis. It is thought that as awareness increases, so too will early diagnosis. Proposed changes screening Silicosis in stone working is now on the UK political agenda. In Parliament, ministers previously said HSE was not considering restricting engineered stone and that silicosis was not currently reportable, although reporting requirements were under review. More recently, campaigners, clinicians and MPs have pushed for workforce screening, better reporting, stronger enforcement and a ban on dry-cutting high-silica engineered stone. In March 2026, Liz Jarvis MP said she would table a Silica Dust (Exposure) Bill calling for prevention, monitoring, reporting and screening. HSE also refreshed its health surveillance guidance in 2025, making clear that worktop manufacturing and installation are high-risk occupations where surveillance must be considered. Health and safety best practice Where workers are regularly exposed to hazardous materials and disease could develop, health surveillance is a legal requirement. Silicosis is preventable, but only if controls are applied consistently: Assess the risk properly, avoid or reduce dust at source Use water suppression and effective extraction Select lower-silica materials where possible Provide suitable RPE for higher-risk tasks Maintain good housekeeping Review controls regularly As with the recent HSE inspections at bakeries and within the vehicle repair industry, ensuring workers are protected from occupational hazards should be at the forefront of all business’ priorities. For any support with air quality monitoring, training or occupational health support, reach out to the LRB Consulting Ltd team to find the right support for you.