Two young workers died.
That is what prompted the Health and Safety Executive to issue what it is calling "landmark" guidance this week — banning dry cutting of engineered stone and announcing more than 1,000 site inspections over the next 12 months. The inspectors are already through the door.
The First-Ever COSHH Guidance Specifically for Engineered Stone
What stands out after 25 years working in health and safety: this is the first-ever COSHH (Control of Substances Hazardous to Health) guidance written specifically for engineered stone. The material has been standard in UK kitchens and homes for years. The risks have been documented. The warnings have been there.
And it took two deaths — both young workers — to get here.
What the HSE Has Done
The HSE has published guidance titled Working engineered stone: Control silica risk. The language is unusually direct.
- Dry cutting is now declared "unacceptable"
- Water suppression is confirmed as a legal requirement
- Engineered stone with high silica content must be replaced with low-silica alternatives
The guidance is backed by a nationwide inspection programme. More than 1,000 visits to fabricators will take place over the next 12 months. The first inspections are already underway.
Why Engineered Stone Is Different
Engineered stone can contain up to 90% silica — far higher than natural stone. When cut dry, the dust released is fine enough to penetrate deep into the lungs. The resulting disease, silicosis, is incurable. It continues to progress even after exposure stops. There is no treatment that reverses the damage.
Australia banned engineered stone entirely in 2024. The Unite union is calling for the UK to follow. The HSE has opted for controls and enforcement rather than an outright ban — but the expectation of compliance is now absolute.
What You Need in Place
If you fabricate, install, or manage workers who handle engineered stone, these controls must be in place now:
- Water suppression on all cutting tasks — this is a legal requirement, not a recommendation
- Low-silica content engineered stone as standard across your operation
- Properly fitted and maintained respiratory protective equipment (RPE) for all exposed workers
- Health surveillance for anyone regularly exposed to engineered stone dust
- A COSHH assessment specific to engineered stone — the generic COSHH assessment covering "dust" is no longer sufficient
What Happens If You Don't
The HSE's deputy director, Mike Calcutt, put it plainly: "Those who are cutting corners are not just putting their workers at risk — they are undercutting the businesses doing things properly. We will create a level playing field."
1,000 inspections over 12 months is a significant and deliberate enforcement commitment. If your operation is not compliant, the probability of a visit is not theoretical.
Get Your Controls Right
If you need help reviewing your COSHH assessments, RPE provision, health surveillance arrangements, or broader compliance position for engineered stone work, that is exactly what we do at SafeCompli.
Visit www.safecompli.co.uk or get in touch directly.