Silicosis cases confirmed - Call for new regulations in UK

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A charity is calling for immediate action to prevent workers from developing silicosis after the UK sees its first confirmed cases.

Silicosis is an incurable lung disease caused by inhaling tiny crystalline particles of silica, a mineral found in stone.

Silica is often used during the manufacture and finishing of engineered stone worktops, but the British Occupational Hygiene Society (BOHS) is now calling for more protection for workers, as the use of engineered stone has risen in recent years.

Silicosis cases confirmed

At present, these materials are largely imported but are often finished in the UK, putting people who are working with the items at risk.

Other countries, including Australia, announced they are banning engineered stone worktops from July this year to prevent workers from developing silicosis, meanwhile, the health and safety regulator in the United States has stepped up its inspections of engineered stone installation and fabrication industries.

BOHS claims there have been at least three confirmed cases of silicosis in the UK, but the Health and Safety Executive has not yet considered restricting its use.

In response to a question in the House of Lords in January, work and pensions minister Lord Leckie said:

“The Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations already require employers to put in place measures to prevent workers being exposed to respirable crystalline silica.

“This includes adequate controls ensuring compliance with the workplace exposure limit and health surveillance identifying potential ill health. HSE keeps requirements for reporting occupational diseases under review and is not currently making silicosis reportable.”

Labour peer Lord Campbell-Savours added:

“Engineered stone is primarily quartz; if cut wet, there is little problem but, if cut dry, it can lead to dust and lung problems and may well require further regulation. This is a problem primarily in Europe, as there is now very little dry-cut activity in the United Kingdom.”

BOHS president Alex Wilson said there are likely to be more cases of silicosis that have not been detected or reported.

“Accurate diagnosis of silicosis is difficult and it can easily be mistaken for a more common complaint, sarcoidosis, for example,” he said.

“It’s an old problem in a new and nasty guise. Like so many occupational diseases, it is really quite easy to prevent, but impossible to cure.

“It’s vital that anyone potentially being exposed to the engineered stone industry has access to appropriate medical surveillance, but more importantly, it’s vital that proper dust controls are used at all times. Anyone who isn’t sure if their controls are good enough needs to get expert advice from an occupational hygienist.”

BOHS chief executive Professor Kevin Bampton added:

“The Society has provided feedback to the Health and Safety Executive on areas where current guidance provided by the regulator might be further strengthened to ensure that industry provides effective controls and maintains vigilance.

“It also supports the work of an All-Party Parliamentary Group which is considering effective legislative and policy means to protect workers.

“Calls for a ban are not going to save lives, but education, proper workplace controls and awareness of the risks will.”

At present, regulations are in place to ensure workers are kept safe and provided with the correct Personal Protective Equipment (PPE). As well as common law duty to ensure a safe place of work and a safe system of work, your employer will have a number of duties set down by statute including the following:

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 risk 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)

What is Silicosis?

Silicosis is a long-term lung disease caused by inhaling large amounts of crystalline silica dust, usually over many years.

Silica is a substance naturally found in certain types of stone, rock, sand and clay. Working with these materials can create a very fine dust that can be easily inhaled.

Once inside the lungs, it causes swelling (inflammation) and gradually leads to areas of hardened and scarred lung tissue (fibrosis). Lung tissue that’s scarred in this way doesn’t function properly.

Silicosis symptoms

Symptoms usually take years to develop, and many people will not see the signs until they have stopped working with silica dust.

However, symptoms can worsen even if you are no longer exposed.

According to the NHS, Silicosis usually develops after being exposed to silica for 10-20 years. However, with heavy exposure, it can develop within a matter of a few months. Symptoms include:

A persistent cough
Persistent shortness of breath
Weakness and tiredness

Silicosis causes

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

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.

Silicosis claims

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 are able to 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.

Call for new regulations as Silicosis cases confirmed in UK