Silica dust exposure – HSE/HSL Study

In a published study, HSE and the HSL looked carefully at roof tile cutting operations.

The Problem

When cutting roof tiles, workers are exposed to respirable crystalline silica (RCS).  This dust, if breathed in, causes severe lung diseases such as silicosis. The HSE has produced a video of the effects of silicosis on people’s lives.

Valley tiles are created where rooves meet (see picture). These tiles need to be trimmed to fit. An interim agreement between industry and HSE allowed valley tiles to be cut using hand-held power tools without wet dust suppression systems, which would introduce additional safety hazards, such as slips.

HSE Video of stonecutter suffering from silicosis