The HSE issues updated guidance on engineered stone and launches nationwide inspections
New COSHH guidance has been published on engineered stone, alongside an inspection programme involving over 1,000 visits to fabricators across Great Britain.
The driving concern is silicosis, a serious, irreversible lung disease caused by inhaling silica dust. Research shows dry cutting can expose workers to five to ten times more respirable crystalline silica (RCS) than wet methods.
The guidance requires employers to consider switching to lower silica materials, eliminate dry cutting in favour of wet suppression, provide suitable RPE, and carry out regular health surveillance. Enforcement action will be taken against those failing to meet their legal obligations.
For more guidance on this, please visit the HSE website: Working engineered stone: Control silica risk - HSE
The HSE updates guidance on infections and biological hazards at work
Updated guidance has been released on managing infection risks and biological hazards in the workplace, with a focus on improving clarity and accessibility for employers.
The updated guidance offers practical advice on risk assessment and legal compliance, with a new site structure making it easier to navigate by workplace type and specific hazard. Outdated content has been removed, and the guidance now includes stronger links to related HSE resources alongside signposting to authoritative sources such as the NHS and the UK Health Security Agency.
Employers responsible for managing infection risks should familiarise themselves with the updated guidance to ensure their risk assessments and controls remain up to date. To find out more, please visit the HSE website: Infections and biological hazards at work - HSE
Contact us
If you’d like to speak to a member of our H&S team about these updates, email riskmanagement@thecleargroup.com or visit our Risk Management page to learn more about our services.
