Thousands of UK workers are having their health put at risk as engineered stone is widely used throughout the construction and manufacturing sectors. An increasing number of workers are being diagnosed with a deadly lung disease known as silicosis after being exposed.
As such, Unite the Union is calling for a full ban as the HSE guidance fails to require adequate control for exposure and is unachievable for localised fitting, cutting and finishing of stone worktops in people’s kitchens and living areas.
Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “Engineered stone is causing serious preventable illness and death amongst workers. The HSE guidance is inadequate – the UK needs to follow Australia’s example and ban this deadly material outright.”
Margaret Mullane MP stands alongside Unite and advocates for greater safety to be granted to our workers. No one should be placed at-risk due to inadequate considerations, nor should they be forced to pay the costs of inconsderation with their health.
Read more about Unite’s campaign here.