Following recent news articles in the media, we’ve created a Q+A to help understand why there have been some recent cases of respirable crystaline silicosis attributed to workers operating in the stone industry. We’d also like to help dispel any myths, rumours or fake news that is currently in circulation surrounding the safety of quartz (aka engineered stone) worktops.
At Gemini Worktops we have a long history of working with the UK Health and Safety Executive (HSE) for the fabrication of natural and engineered stone surfaces and welcome recent conversations around safe working practices within our industry. We have advocated the need for using the correct equipment and practices to enable every worker in the stone industry to enjoy a rewarding and creative career in a safe working environment.
Unfortunately, as our industry has grown, the increase in small operations that deliberately do not follow the rules and guidelines, in order to save costs, has a real and entirely avoidable consequence. These operations, typically referred to within the stone industry as “cut and slash merchants” or “chop shops”, have recently been highlighted within the media as being responsible for several cases in workers of respirable crystaline silicosis (RCS).
It is an incurable lung disease caused by the inhalation of tiny particles of silica.
No. Silica is found in many products that are used in construction or textiles including glass, bricks, sandstone, granite etc. It has been known about for the last 4,500 years affecting the slaves who built the pyramids and the workers who built the Greek temples. More recent outbreaks, as per an editorial in the journal Thorax, have been reported amongst those working with slate pencils, denim jeans, dental supplies and jewelry.
The quartz used in quartz worktops is typically comprised of high content silica as well as resin – this is what makes the product so hardwearing and durable. When, and only when, the quartz is in the process of being cut can the silica dust particles be dangerous if inhaled in sufficiently large quantities over a prolonged period of time.
No. Particles of silica are only ever airborne during the cutting or grinding of quartz worktops (the fabrication process). There are zero cases of RCS in homeowners of quartz worktops and leading brands such as Minerox Quartz carry certification for the safety of quartz worktops in the home such as Greenguard Gold for air safety and NSF for food hygiene safety. According to the Worktop Fabricator’s Federation (WFF) the risk of RCS is “purely to do with the factory management in the fabrication process” and that there is “no health risk in handling, shipping, installing or using engineered stone worktops”.
Inadequate health and safety standards within a fabrication facility are the only reason workers could contract RCS. The UK Health & Safety Executive (HSE) have produced robust control methodologies and standards to prevent any cases of RCS in factories adhering to the rules.
Yes. Minerox Quartz is 100% safe and free from any risk of RCS for the workers who produce it. Gemini was the first company in the UK to introduce water suppression CNC technology for working stone in 1988 and has a strong track record of working proactively with the HSE to ensure its factories are the safest environment for its entire workforce. n HSE compliant fabricator.
All parts of the fabrication process for Minerox Quartz worktops are carried out using water suppression in a well-ventilated environment. All areas of the factory are monitored for silica dust levels and the most comprehensive PPE (personal protective equipment) and respiratory protective equipment (RPE) is supplied and used by the workforce in the correct areas.
Yes. All Gemini installation teams have to complete an HSE RCS training course and carry the correct PPE and RPE that enable the safe completion of any on site installation works. When worktops do need to be adjusted on site, our risk assessment is followed which ensures that this is always carried out using the correct PPE and RPE and that any cutting or grinding will be done outdoors in the open air. This practice has been deemed as appropriate and adequate by the HSE.
No. Gemini Worktops has fabricated over 100,000 quartz worktops over 2 decades and has never had a case of RCS in any employee.
8 cases of RCS have been reported in the UK. All cases have related to small fabrication companies with less than 10 employees who have not been following the Health & Safety rules regarding water suppression, ventilation and RPE. These are the companies we refer to within the industry as “cut and slash merchants” and we have always strongly advised consumers to avoid using these companies.
Quartz worktops have become increasingly popular over the last decade as they represent the best value for money to achieve beautiful aesthetic designs as well as robust durability. Small fabrication companies (the “cut and slash merchants”) have set up to take advantage of this trend, cutting out costs through avoiding investment in technologies that both create the best product as well as meeting the legal health and safety requirements to protect their workforce.
The Australian stone industry and Australian health and safety executive were far slower to adapt to UK and European safety standards that were introduced since engineered stone entered the market. The UKs Worktop Fabricator’s Federation has released a statement saying they disagree with the extreme Australian measures, instead believing materials are safe to cut so long as proper practices are followed.
No. The situation was discussed in parliament during a session in January 2024, and the government determined that the HSE has done a lot of work in promoting safety techniques ensuring campaigns would continue to raise awareness of fabricators legal responsibilities to adhere to the appropriate control processes already in place.
The advice from the WFF is to ensure you purchase quartz worktops from a reputable fabricator, who has the correct controls in place to prevent there ever being any risk of RCS to the workforce. The key questions to ask any supplier on this are;
The buying advice remains centred on choosing the right surface that fits the aesthetic design of the kitchen, retains the durability features that are most important to the user, and comes at a price that meets the project budget.
The market for engineered stone worktops is expected to continue to grow significantly over the next decade whilst there is no scientific evidence to suggest anyone should not consider buying quartz worktops from an HSE compliant fabricator.
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