By Sarah Donnelly · Published 2 November 2026 · 2 min read
The Health and Safety Executive has publicly named four companies served with prohibition notices for failing to protect workers from silica dust exposure. Creative Quartz Ltd, Mr Granite Ltd, Surfacestone (UK) Limited, and Italia Stone Ltd were ordered to stop working with engineered stone after inspectors identified severe safety breaches.
Background
Engineered stone is a popular, cost-effective alternative to natural stone for kitchen worktops, but cutting it releases dangerous levels of respirable crystalline silica. Silicosis is an irreversible condition that causes the lungs to swell and harden. During site visits, inspectors found that Italia Stone failed to use water suppression and did not prevent access to hazardous areas.
Industry implications
The public naming of these firms signals a zero-tolerance approach from the regulator regarding silica dust. Companies processing engineered stone face immediate operational shutdowns if they fail to control dust emissions. This enforcement action mirrors global concerns, following a complete ban on engineered stone in Australia in 2024 due to worker fatalities.
What contractors should do now
Employers must ensure that local exhaust ventilation and water suppression systems are fully operational during all cutting and grinding tasks. Workers must be provided with appropriate respiratory protective equipment and undergo regular face-fit testing. Access to high-dust areas must be strictly restricted to essential personnel only.
Expert view
An HSE spokesperson confirmed the regulator is conducting a targeted campaign to tackle silicosis risks. "Our campaign to tackle the risks of silicosis will see inspectors carry out more than 1000 visits across the industry in 2026, with multiple businesses already receiving enforcement action due to a lack of controls," the spokesperson stated.
What happens next
The four named companies can only resume work with engineered stone once they satisfy inspectors that adequate controls are in place. The HSE will complete its 1,000 targeted site visits by the end of the year, meaning further prohibition notices are highly likely for non-compliant firms.
Sources
- HSE names firms stopped from working with engineered stone — Construction News
