HSE forbids dry cutting of engineered stone, launching inspection crack down on silica dust

Why has the HSE acted?

At the centre of the crackdown on engineered stone is an invisible but deadly hazard: respirable crystalline silica (RCS), i.e. silica dust, which can cause incurable respiratory issues such as silicosis and lung cancer when inhaled. 

Engineered stone is a popular material used in modern kitchen and bathroom worktops; however, it often contains extremely high levels of crystalline silica, becoming hazardous when the material is cut, drilled, or polished. These acts release microscopic silica dust particles which can travel deep into the lungs, causing irreversible damage.

What makes silica dust particularly dangerous is that the damage often happens slowly and silently; lung damage can occur before any symptoms become apparent. 

The increasing numbers of silica-related illnesses became impossible for the HSE to ignore. Following the death of 2 young workers from silicosis, and calls for change from MPs, medical professionals, and trade unions, the HSE undertook a 2-year research and industry engagement process and found that: 

• Dry fabrication typically results in exposure to RCS 5-10 times higher than wet methods using equivalent tools; and

• Lower-content silica engineered stone is available at the same quality, removing any reason for businesses not to switch to less dangerous products.

Despite being entirely preventable, silica dust remains a significant occupational health risk, hence the need for change.

What does the guidance say?

The most important change is HSE’s explicit statement within its 11 May 2026 press release that dry cutting engineered stone is unacceptable and that water-suppression is a legal requirement. 

The guidance sets out a package of control measures and the key points which businesses should be aware of include: 

• Working with stone containing the lowest crystalline silica content.
• Using on-tool water suppression to reduce dust.
• Controlling the mist generated by water suppression as it contains crystalline silica.
• Respiratory Protective Equipment (RPE) - powered air purifying respirators (PAPR) with an assigned protection factor (APF) of at least 20 when processing, cleaning or when maintaining machinery.
• Personal protective equipment (PPE) including coveralls which do not retain dust and provide water protection. 
• Regularly reviewing control measures to ensure that they remain effective
• Providing health surveillance for workers who are regularly exposed to RCS dust.
• Organising and cleaning work areas regularly, as dust from surfaces or work clothing can be a significant source of exposure.
• Ensuring workers are trained on the hazards of RCS and how they should use controls.

Ensuring supervision and safe work procedures.  

How will this impact businesses?

For businesses which are not already using water suppression, this could mean considerable operational changes. While wet cutting reduces risk, there will still be contaminated mist and slurry, meaning extraction systems, proper cleanliness and waste management are still essential. Dust control now needs to be built into the entire process.

Businesses involved in the engineered stone industry should urgently review their processes against the new HSE guidance.

Are these changes enough?

Whilst the guidance is a welcome and necessary change, some feel it does not go far enough, with the HSE failing to impose a total ban on engineered stone.

Instead, the guidance places responsibility squarely on employers to implement robust controls sending a strong message that silica exposure in this sector is now a top regulatory priority.

Our expertise

You can read all of our previous articles here. If you have any questions, please contact Rod Hunt (rod.hunt@clydeco.com) or Sofia Dahou (sofia.dahou@clydeco.com)