Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) plays an important role in protecting workers when fabricating engineered stone. However, PPE should always be viewed as the last line of defence, forming part of a wider safe working system that includes lower-silica materials, water suppression, accurate off-site fabrication, effective dust control and suitable Health & Safety procedures.
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) expects employers to carry out suitable risk assessments and provide PPE that is appropriate for the work being undertaken. Depending on your fabrication processes, this may include:
- Respiratory Protective Equipment (RPE) – Suitable respirators or Powered Air Purifying Respirators (PAPR) should be selected to provide the appropriate level of protection against airborne dust.
- Protective Coveralls – Many businesses now use Category III Type 5 & 6 disposable coveralls, which are specifically designed to help prevent hazardous dust particles and wet slurry from contaminating clothing. Unlike traditional cotton workwear, their smooth outer surface helps reduce dust retention and minimises the risk of carrying contamination into vehicles, offices or the home.
- Safety Glasses or Face Protection – To protect against flying particles and water spray during cutting, grinding and polishing.
- Hearing Protection – To reduce exposure to noise generated by fabrication machinery.
- Protective Gloves – Appropriate gloves should be worn when handling slabs, tooling, adhesives and fabrication equipment.
- Safety Footwear – Steel toe-cap safety boots with good slip resistance should be worn to protect against heavy materials and wet workshop environments.
Protective clothing should be managed correctly as part of your overall Health & Safety procedures. Disposable coveralls should be replaced regularly in accordance with the manufacturer’s recommendations, and contaminated clothing should never be cleaned using compressed air or dry brushing, as this can re-release harmful dust into the breathing zone. Employers should also ensure that suitable changing facilities and procedures are in place to help prevent dust being transferred into vehicles, offices or workers’ homes.
At Guardian Ventures, we believe PPE should always be used alongside other effective control measures, not instead of them. Choosing innovative silica-free engineered stone surfaces, using water suppression, accurately fabricating worktops off-site, safely managing wet slurry and providing appropriate training all work together to create a safer working environment.
If you’re reviewing your workshop following the latest HSE guidance and would like advice on fabrication methods, tooling or safer working practices, please contact the Guardian Ventures Technical Advice Line. We’ll be happy to introduce you to trusted industry specialists who can help your business transition to the latest best practice.