13 August 2019
The stonemasonry industry potentially exposes workers to a number of diverse occupational health risks including exposure to Respirable Crystalline Silica (RCS), Hand-Arm Vibration Syndrome (HAVS) and Musculoskeletal Disorders (MSDs).
The Health and Safety Inspectorate (HSI) is carrying out an initiative during the second half of 2019 to raise awareness of these health hazards. As a part of the initiative HSI Inspectors will be visiting workplaces to assess the control measures in place against good practice guidance to check that health risks are being adequately controlled.
Respirable Crystalline Silica (RCS) which is contained in the dust that stoneworkers breathe in can cause serious ill health effects such as silicosis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and possibly lung cancer.
Silica dust on the UK HSE website
Hand-Arm Vibration Syndrome (HAVS) caused by regular exposure to vibration transmitted into the hands and arms from powered tools such as stone hammers and grinders that can cause permanent disablement. HAVS encompasses a range of ailments such as ‘vibration white finger’ and carpal tunnel syndrome amongst others.
Vibration and noise on the UK HSE website
Musculoskeletal Disorders (MSDs) are a range of ‘strain’ type injuries caused by manual handling and repetitive movements that can lead to physical injury to the back, neck and upper limbs.
Musculoskeletal disorders on the UK HSE website
Manual handling in the workplace
The incidence and likelihood of all these types of illnesses and injury can be controlled and is required under the health and safety law.
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