Why Proactive Occupational Health Matters More Than Ever

Silicosis is making headlines again, and not for the right reasons. Once considered a disease of a bygone industrial era, this incurable and entirely preventable lung condition is re-emerging with force. In recent years, cases have been quietly rising in the UK, echoing a global pattern of concern that’s already led to legislative action in countries like Australia and Spain.

A recent article in The Guardian has brought fresh attention to one of the key drivers behind this resurgence: artificial stone worktops. Popular in modern kitchens and bathrooms, these engineered materials can contain over 90% crystalline silica, posing a serious health risk to workers who cut, grind, and polish them without adequate protection. The call to action is clear: without swift intervention, the UK could be facing a silicosis crisis on a scale we’re not prepared for.

This isn’t just a story about stone, it’s a wake-up call for occupational health. I believe that prevention starts with forward-thinking Occupational Health services that don’t just follow guidance, but actively shape it. Occupational health professionals are uniquely positioned to protect high-risk workers. By leveraging up-to-date research, collaborating with clinical experts, and delivering proactive, evidence-based surveillance, they can help drive meaningful change before it’s too late.

Silicosis: An Occupational Disease Re-Emerging with Force

Silicosis is a serious and progressive lung disease caused by long-term inhalation of respirable crystalline silica (RCS), fine particles released when cutting, grinding, or drilling materials like stone, concrete, and artificial composites. Once these particles are inhaled, they become embedded deep in the lungs. Triggering inflammation, scarring, and irreversible damage. The bad news. Currently, there is no cure. The only real defence is prevention.

Silica exposure is common in industries such as stone masonry, construction, mining, and foundry work. And particularly so in the manufacturing and installation of artificial stone worktops. These engineered materials, often made from quartz and resin, can contain dangerously high levels of crystalline silica, up to 90% in some cases. When dry-cut or worked without adequate controls, the dust released poses a significant health risk.

We’re now seeing the consequences. Globally, cases of silicosis have risen sharply in recent years. Australia has declared it a national health crisis, and similar patterns are now emerging in the UK. Young workers (some just in their twenties) are being diagnosed with advanced forms of the disease after only a few years of exposure.

This is no longer a problem confined to historical heavy industries. Silicosis is becoming a modern public health issue, cutting across construction, interior design, and home improvement sectors. Its impact ripples beyond the individual worker, it affects families, businesses, the NHS, and regulatory systems. Addressing this resurgence requires urgent attention, cross-sector collaboration, and a renewed commitment to prevention at every level of industry and occupational health.

Spotlight on Artificial Stone Worktops: Why the Alarm Bells Are Ringing

The recent Guardian article has cast a much-needed spotlight on the dangers of artificial stone worktops, materials that have become increasingly popular in kitchens and bathrooms across the UK. These engineered surfaces may look sleek and modern, but they often contain extremely high concentrations of crystalline silica. When cut, shaped, or polished, especially without wet working methods or proper ventilation, they release fine silica dust that can be deadly if inhaled.

Experts are now urging the UK to consider a ban on artificial stone, following in the footsteps of countries already facing the consequences. In Australia, a ban has already been announced following a national inquiry into the silicosis crisis, with alarming findings showing rapid disease progression in workers as young as 25. Spain has reported similar clusters of severe silicosis cases in stone fabrication workers, many of whom had only a few years of exposure.

This isn’t just a theoretical risk, it’s a proven occupational hazard. And the UK is not immune.

While legislation is still catching up, there is existing guidance in place. The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has issued clear warnings on the risks of respirable crystalline silica (RCS), urging employers to assess exposure, implement effective dust suppression, and provide regular health surveillance. Meanwhile, IOSH has categorised silica dust as a significant contributor to occupational cancer and strongly advocates for robust preventive strategies across affected industries.

What’s clear is that guidance alone isn’t enough. Without swift and serious implementation, backed by occupational health services that understand and act on the risks, the UK may find itself facing a preventable public health crisis. The time for passive awareness is over. Proactive action is needed now.

What Needs to Be Done: Evidence-Based Solutions from Research

While the risks of silicosis are severe, the good news is this: we already know how to prevent it. The science is clear, and the solutions are within reach. A recent article in BMJ Occupational and Environmental Medicine provides a strong evidence base for exactly what needs to be done to manage and reduce silica-related harm in the workplace.

First and foremost, effective dust control and exposure monitoring must become standard practice, not optional extras. This includes using wet cutting techniques, on-tool extraction, and local exhaust ventilation to significantly reduce the amount of respirable crystalline silica in the air. Real-time dust monitoring should be deployed where possible, giving both employers and workers immediate insights into risk levels.

Alongside environmental controls, a structured programme of health surveillance is vital. This includes baseline health checks, regular lung function testing, chest X-rays where appropriate, and individual risk assessments tailored to the worker’s role, exposure level, and medical history. Surveillance is not just about detecting disease early, it’s about identifying patterns, trends, and risks before they become irreversible problems.

The research also highlights the importance of substitution and engineering controls. Wherever feasible, lower-silica materials should be used in place of high-silica engineered stone. When substitution isn’t possible, investment in well-maintained, properly designed engineering solutions becomes essential. These interventions, when combined with clear workplace protocols and competent supervision, drastically reduce exposure risk.

Finally, education and training must form the backbone of any prevention strategy. Workers need to understand the risks, recognise early symptoms, and feel empowered to speak up about unsafe conditions. Employers, in turn, must be supported to deliver meaningful training that moves beyond box-ticking and genuinely builds a culture of health and safety.

We don’t need to reinvent the wheel. The frameworks, controls, and surveillance protocols to prevent silicosis already exist, and they’re backed by decades of occupational health research. What’s needed now is the will to implement them at scale, guided by Occupational Health regulatory services who are clinically informed, future-focused, and committed to prevention.

The OH Perspective: Moving from Compliance to Prevention

Occupational Health services are uniquely positioned to play a pivotal role in turning the tide on silicosis. But to do so, they must go beyond compliance and embrace a proactive, prevention-led model of care. As outlined in Health & Safety Matters, many traditional OH systems remain reactive, intervening only after a worker presents symptoms or a health issue has been formally identified.

By then, particularly in the case of silicosis, it may already be too late.

A truly effective approach requires working upstream, embedding health surveillance, risk reduction, and exposure control into the design of work itself. This means identifying at-risk populations early, conducting robust workplace assessments, and implementing meaningful changes before symptoms develop.

The role of clinical expertise is essential here. Silicosis can progress silently, with subtle symptoms often missed or misattributed in the early stages. An OH service equipped with respiratory specialists and strong clinical pathways can detect the early warning signs, initiate further investigation, and engage with employers on tailored strategies to protect the workforce.

More importantly, forward-thinking OH isn’t just about responding to individual cases, it’s about supporting organisations to reduce exposure across the board. That includes guiding employers on best practice controls, shaping education and behavioural change, and advocating for systemic improvements in workplace safety culture.

By shifting the focus from compliance to prevention, OH teams can become strategic partners in workplace health, protecting lives, improving long-term outcomes, and driving real, lasting change in high-risk industries.

SKC OH Ltd’s Approach: Proactive, Research-Led, Clinically-Aligned

At SKC OH Ltd, we recognise that preventing diseases like silicosis requires more than policy and paperwork, it demands a proactive, clinically informed, and partnership-driven approach. That’s why we’ve developed a dedicated Silica Surveillance Programme, designed in collaboration with some of the UK’s leading experts in occupational lung disease.

Our approach is holistic and tailored. We offer:

• Individual worker assessments to identify those at greatest risk
  
• Occupational exposure profiling and tracking across job roles
  
• Structured health surveillance, including lung function testing and symptom monitoring
  
• Advisory support for employers, helping them implement controls, improve training, and meet regulatory obligations
  

At the heart of our work is a partnership model. We collaborate closely with employers, clinical teams, regulators, and industry bodies to raise the standard of occupational health provision across silica-exposed sectors. We don’t just deliver services, we help shape strategies, policies, and cultures that keep workers safer in the long term.

What sets SKC OH Ltd apart is our commitment to evidence-led practice. Our teams stay aligned with the most up-to-date research, ensuring that the guidance we provide is not only compliant but clinically robust and future-facing. In an environment where risks like silicosis are evolving rapidly, this level of responsiveness and rigour is essential.

If your workforce operates in a high-exposure environment, the time to act is now. Prevention starts with knowledge, and SKC OH Ltd is here to deliver it.

Don’t Wait for Regulation, Act Now

Silicosis is a growing occupational health crisis, one that is preventable, but only with timely, evidence-based intervention. The risks are real, the consequences are devastating, and yet the solutions are already within reach. The tools for exposure control, early detection, and long-term prevention exist, and are most effective when delivered through a proactive, clinically informed Occupational Health service.

Waiting for regulation to catch up is no longer a viable strategy. Employers must take the lead in protecting their workforce and setting a higher standard of care, especially in industries where artificial stone, construction materials, or manufacturing processes put workers at elevated risk.

At SKC OH Ltd, we’re ready to support you every step of the way.

We invite you to:

• Book a consultation with our OH specialists to assess your current risk landscape
  
• Review and refine your silica exposure management and health surveillance programmes
  
• Partner with us for a fully supported, expert-led approach that puts worker wellbeing at the heart of your business
  

Ready to Take Action?

Get in touch today to access bespoke advice, clinical assessments, and surveillance programmes developed in collaboration with the UK’s leading experts in occupational lung disease.