A recent call for change

Health & Safety Matters reported on 5 October that Thompsons Solicitors had called for a UK-wide engineered-stone ban at a TUC Congress fringe event held on 15 September. The discussion also raised proposals for stronger health surveillance and disease reporting. These are attributed campaign positions, rather than an announcement of enacted legislation.

For businesses fabricating stone or commissioning work involving it, the useful question is what protection the current work arrangements provide. Debate about future policy offers a reason to revisit that question, without waiting for a legislative outcome.

The regulator's position predates this debate

HSE announced its engineered-stone guidance and inspection programme on 11 May 2026. That announcement is background to this month's reporting, rather than new October guidance. It described more than 1,000 inspections across Great Britain as part of work running through 2026–27.

HSE's announcement explains that its guidance effectively rules out dry cutting unless a business can demonstrate equally effective or better control. It expressly distinguishes this from a new law or formal legislative prohibition. Managers should use the relevant guidance and competent advice when assessing their arrangements, rather than treating that qualification as permission to improvise.

Review more than the cutting task

HSE's current engineered-stone page says employers must assess and control exposure to respirable crystalline silica under COSHH. It warns that serious lung damage can develop before symptoms appear. Feeling well therefore provides no basis for deciding that workplace controls are adequate.

The guidance addresses material selection, mist from water suppression, respiratory protection, cleaning and regular review of controls. It also identifies health surveillance where workers are regularly exposed and there is a reasonable likelihood of COPD or silicosis developing. These elements deserve consideration together; selecting one measure does not establish that the whole arrangement is effective.

Make the assessment match the workplace

HSE's general COSHH assessment guidance asks employers to consider substances generated by their processes and everyone who might be exposed, including maintenance workers, contractors and visitors. It also calls for reviews when materials, equipment, processes or staff change, or when controls may no longer work.

PULSE's management recommendation is to compare the assessment with the work actually taking place. Ask who owns the review, whether cleaning and maintenance are included, and what evidence supports the controls. Where gaps or uncertainty emerge, arrange competent occupational hygiene or other appropriate specialist advice and record the actions required. A document should help managers understand and control the work, rather than simply describe an intended production method.

Check the evidence

Sources & further reading

The reporting above is attributed to its source. Practical interpretation is PULSE’s. This is general information, not a site-specific assessment or safety sign-off.

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