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Stoneworker respirable silica dust

Respirable crystalline silica dust inhaled during stoneworking, cutting, grinding, and related masonry tasks.

Airborne form

dust

The form describes what is suspended in air at the point of exposure. A material can produce more than one form, such as dust during handling and fume during heating.

Health effects

silicosislung cancerchronic obstructive pulmonary diseaserespiratory disease

Evidence

The UK Health and Safety Executive states that stoneworkers can suffer ill health and disease caused by respirable crystalline silica in inhaled stone dust, including silicosis, lung cancer, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. HSE says exposure depends on the stone type, tool, work duration, extraction, respiratory protection, and workshop organization.

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Silica dust · 1
Stoneworkers can suffer ill health and disease caused by Respirable Crystaline Silica (RCS) in the stone dust that they breathe in. These include silicosis, lung cancer and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

HSE's current stoneworker guidance says stone-dust exposure varies with stone type, tool, task duration, extraction, respiratory protection, and workshop organization; it includes both natural and engineered stone and requires health surveillance where there is a reasonable risk of silicosis.

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Silica dust; Respirable Crystalline Silica · 1–2
The amount of dust you are exposed to depends on ... the type of stone you are working (including both natural and artificial/engineered stone) ... the type of tool ... how long ... extraction ... mask ... workshop ... where there is a reasonable risk of workers developing silicosis, health surveillance is required.

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