Quartz kitchens - Silicosis warning issued as two people die

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Unions have issued a warning about worktops made from engineered stone after 18 cases of deadly lung diseases have emerged, and two people have died after working with the material.

The engineered surfaces, which are often used in modern kitchens and bathrooms have already been linked to more than a dozen UK cases of a lethal lung disease called artificial stone silicosis.

Quartz kitchens

Silicosis can develop after people inhale the dust, containing high levels of silica, often whilst working in the manufacturing and fitting process without the correct protections or processes in place.

Silicosis causes severe scarring and injuries in the lungs, and there is currently no cure. This damage reduces the lungs’ ability to take in oxygen, causing symptoms such as coughing, shortness of breath, chest pain, and fatigue.

Silicosis is a progressive and incurable disease, which often develops years after exposure to silica dust. The thickened, stiff tissue often makes it hard for the lungs to work properly, and can worsen over time.

Silicosis can severely impact a person’s quality of life and prevention, through protective equipment and dust control measures, is crucial, as there is no cure for silicosis.

So far, at least 18 UK cases of this new aggressive form of engineered stone silicosis have been identified, the youngest in a man aged just 24.

Two men under 50, both stone engineers, have already died from the condition in the UK.

The high-silica artificial stone, also known as quartz, has been banned in Australia after being labelled ‘modern-day asbestos‘ due to hundreds of suspected cases.

However, despite the risk to health, the demand for engineered stone in the UK continues to grow, particularly for kitchen and bathroom renovations as it mimics marble or granite at a lower cost.

Unions call for ban

The Trade Union Congress (TUC), which represents around 5.5 million workers has called for a ban, warning that it could “prevent hundreds of deaths.”

Shelly Asquith, health and safety policy officer at the federation of Trade Unions, said current exposure limits for silica dust have been set “far too high”.

She said:

“Research shows if we were to halve the amount of dust workers were legally allowed to be exposed to, it would prevent hundreds of deaths.

“Britain must go further still in prioritising the health of workers and ban the use of high silica engineered stone which, as the tragic and preventable deaths show, can be lethal.”

Silicosis cases in the UK

Last month we wrote about the devastating story of 48-year-old father-of-three and stonemason Marek Marzec, who died from Silicosis after working with the material.

Before his death, Mr. Marzec had accused the stone manufacturers where he was employed for a decade of having ‘unsafe’ working conditions and hoped by speaking out he could prevent others from dying by simply ‘doing their job’.

Prior to his death, he had issued a warning to others, informing them of the dangers of working with quartz.

Speaking from hospital in October, Mr. Marzec had told of being left in ‘terrible pain’ and unable to breathe ‘simply for doing my job’.

He said:

“I arrived in the UK hoping to build a better life and wanting to make sure that my young daughters were financially secure.”

“Instead, because of the work I did cutting quartz worktops, I have been left unable to breathe and in terrible pain.

“I cannot tell you how angry I am that I was allowed to work in these conditions and that my life has been cut short simply for doing my job.

“I am not the only person whose life has been put at risk by this lethal dust.

“It is time for urgent action to stop these dangerous working conditions I had to face before other stone workers contract this terrible disease and die.”

Whilst this week, Malik Al-Khalil, 28, contracted silicosis after five years of cutting quartz worktops in London.

He told the i that doctors had warned him he could die after falling seriously ill with the lung disease.

Liam Hill, Industrial Disease Solicitor at Oakwood Solicitor Ltd has called for tighter restrictions and control of harmful substances in the workplace.

He said:

“Restrictions in relation to inhalable dust of various kinds has been in place for a long time now. It is somewhat concerning that employees in various industries continue to exposed to harmful levels of substances include silica dust, without the correct PPE or workplace controls.

“The use of these and other harmful substances is, with the right control measures in place, something that can continue and in certain cases is required.

“Therefore we wouldn’t advice a complete ban but we would call for a industry wide development of knowledge as to these substances and their hazards and tighter controls of Health and Safety in the workplace, especially when life limiting substances are being used.”

What needs to be done?

A study, published in August suggested the average age of patients with the disease was just 34, with the first eight cases being in men between 27 and 56.

Experts have called for more protections, tighter regulations, or to follow in the footsteps or Australia and issue a blanket ban of the material.

What is Silicosis?

Silicosis (or Occupational Pulmonary Fibrosis) is a serious lung disease caused by the inhalation of fine silica dust, which is a mineral found in materials like sand, rock, and quartz. When silica dust is inhaled over time, it settles in the lungs, leading to inflammation and scarring of lung tissue.

This damage reduces the lungs’ ability to take in oxygen, causing symptoms such as coughing, shortness of breath, chest pain, and fatigue.

Silicosis is a progressive and incurable disease, which often develops years after exposure to silica dust. There are three types: chronic silicosis, which occurs after long-term exposure; accelerated silicosis, which develops faster after high exposure; and acute silicosis, which can appear after just a few months of intense exposure.

Silicosis is also a type of pulmonary fibrosis, a lung disease which occurs when the tissue becomes damaged and scarred. The thickened, stiff tissue often makes it hard for the lungs to work properly, and can worsen over time.

Silicosis can severely impact a person’s quality of life and prevention, through protective equipment and dust control measures, is crucial, as there is no cure for silicosis.

What causes Silicosis?

Many recent cases of silicosis have been diagnosed in stonemasonry workers, caused by prolonged inhalation of respirable crystalline silica dust, which is released when cutting, grinding, or shaping stone materials such as sandstone, granite, and quartz.

Stonemasonry involves tasks that generate a significant amount of fine silica dust, especially when dry cutting or polishing stone.

Without proper protective measures, such as dust suppression systems, adequate ventilation, and the use of personal protective equipment (PPE) like respirators, this dust can become airborne and easily inhaled.

When can I make a claim for Silicosis?

If you have been diagnosed with Silicosis and you believe it was caused as a result of failures/and or negligence in your current or former workplace, you may be entitled to claim compensation. Employers have a legal duty to ensure employees are safe at work, by providing adequate protective equipment, training and safety practices.

If you believe your employer failed to meet these requirements and as a result, you have suffered harm, you may be entitled to compensation.

If your Silicosis symptoms were initially mistaken for another condition or your diagnosis took an unnecessarily long time to confirm, you may also be able to make a claim for medical misdiagnosis or delay.

Silicosis Employer Liability laws

As well as the common law duty to ensure a safe place of work and a safe system of work, your employer will have several duties set down by statute:

Health and Safety at Work Act 1974

Employers have a duty so far as is reasonably practicable to ensure the safety and welfare of their employees.

Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999

Duty to undertake a reasonable risk assessment (Reg. 3)
Requirement to undertake a health surveillance (Reg. 6)

Personal Protective Equipment at Work Regulations 1992

Ensure that suitable personal equipment is provided (Reg. 4)
Ensure an assessment of any personal protective equipment is undertaken to determine whether it is suitable.

Control of Substances Hazardous to Health 2002

Required to assess health risks where work is liable to expose employees to substances hazardous to health (Reg. 6)
Ensure exposure to substances hazardous to health is either prevented or where not reasonably practicable, adequately controlled (Reg. 7)
Ensure any employee exposed to substances hazardous to health are monitored and under suitable health surveillance (Reg. 11)

If these are not met and as a result, you have suffered harm, you may be entitled to compensation.

I have been diagnosed with Silicosis but I stopped working at the company a while ago. Can I still make a claim?

If you have only been diagnosed with silicosis recently, then your action should be in time for limitation purposes, even if you were exposed to silica dust decades ago.

However, this is solely evidence-based for each action, so it is strongly recommended that you speak with a solicitor to take further advice as soon as possible.

How much compensation will I get?

The amount of compensation you will be awarded will be assessed on a case-by-case basis and will depend on your circumstances and injuries caused by the exposure.

The claims range for these types of cases can be from a few thousand pounds to hundreds of thousands of pounds.

What contains Silica dust?

Silica dust is commonly found in materials that contain crystalline silica, a mineral present in many natural substances. Materials that contain silica dust include:

Sandstone
Granite
Quartz
Concrete
Bricks
Ceramics and tiles
Glass
Stone (like marble and limestone)
Asphalt
Soil, clay, and gravel

These materials release silica dust when cut, drilled, ground, or crushed, which is why industries like construction, mining, stonemasonry, and glass manufacturing are particularly at risk for exposure.

Jobs at risk of Silicosis

Silicosis is caused by inhaling Silica found in certain types of rock, stone, sand and clay. People who work in the following industries are particularly at risk:

Stone masonry and stone cutting – especially with sandstone
Construction and demolition – as a result of exposure to concrete and paving materials
Worktop manufacturing and fitting
Pottery, ceramics and glass manufacturing
Mining and quarrying
Sandblasting
Engineering

Symptoms of Silicosis

The symptoms of silicosis vary depending on the severity of the disease, but they generally develop gradually and worsen over time. Common symptoms include:

Persistent Cough – A chronic, dry cough that doesn’t go away.
Shortness of Breath – Difficulty breathing or a feeling of breathlessness, especially after physical activity.
Chest Pain – Discomfort or pain in the chest area.
Fatigue – Persistent tiredness and lack of energy.
Weight Loss – Unexplained weight loss over time.
Fever – In some cases, low-grade fever may occur.
Blue-tinted lips or skin (Cyanosis) – Due to a lack of oxygen in the blood.

In more advanced cases, individuals may experience worsening respiratory issues, a higher risk of lung infections like tuberculosis, and other complications such as lung cancer or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

Silicosis treatment

At present, there is no cure for Silicosis because lung damage cannot be reversed. However, there is treatment available to relieve symptoms and improve quality of life. There’s no cure for silicosis because the lung damage can’t be reversed. Treatment aims to relieve symptoms and improve quality of life.

For example, you may be offered long-term home oxygen therapy if you’re having difficulty breathing and have low levels of oxygen in your blood.

Bronchodilator medicines may also be prescribed to widen your airways and make breathing easier.

In very severe cases, a lung transplant may be an option, although there are strict health requirements to meet before this will be considered.

Why should I use Oakwood Solicitors Ltd for my Silicosis claim?

Oakwood Solicitors Ltd specialises in Silicosis claims and has a dedicated team of industrial disease experts who will deal with your case. If you’ve been diagnosed with silicosis, you may be able to claim compensation for the damages. Oakwood Solicitors Ltd agrees to work on your industrial disease claim on a ‘no-win, no-fee’ basis.

If your claim is unsuccessful, you will not be expected to pay us a penny. If you are successful in your claim, we take a percentage of the compensation meaning that the only time we will receive money is if we have brought your claim to a fruitful conclusion.

You will have a dedicated advisor who will see your claim through from start to finish, assisting you in the event of any queries or issues you may have. If it is preferable to you, we can assign a female advisor to carry out your claim.

Your case handler will also continue to provide regular updates until the conclusion of your claim, ensuring the process is as stress-free and effortless as possible.

Silicosis: Warning issued over ‘trendy’ quartz kitchens as two people die