HSE Brick, Tile and Silica Guidance Series

Practical Guidance for Controlling Respirable Crystalline Silica in Brick and Tile Manufacturing

The HSE Brick and Tile Guidance Series (BK Series) provides practical task-specific guidance for controlling worker exposure to respirable crystalline silica (RCS) and other airborne dusts within the brick, clay products and tile manufacturing industries.

Developed by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), the guidance focuses on common production activities where silica-containing dusts may be generated and inhaled by workers. Although written specifically for the brick and tile sector, many of the principles are equally applicable to other industries where silica-containing materials are handled, processed or transported.

The guidance forms part of HSE’s wider strategy to prevent occupational lung disease caused by exposure to hazardous dusts.

The guidance covers:

Clay preparation and milling
Sand handling and transport
Brick manufacture
Product handling
Material transfer operations
Vehicle cab protection
Engineering controls
Local Exhaust Ventilation (LEV)
Housekeeping
Exposure control strategies
Worker protection measures

This resource is relevant to:

Occupational Hygienists
LEV Designers/Commissioners/Testers etc
Manufacturing/Production Managers
Health & Safety Professionals
Duty Holders

Source Document

View the HSE Guide Series here:

View HSE Guide Series

Source: Health and Safety Executive (HSE)
Document Type: Industry Guidance Series
Status: Current
Last reviewed by LEVCentral: June 2026

LEVCentral Expert Commentary

The HSE Brick and Tile Guidance Series remains one of the best examples of practical, task-based occupational hygiene guidance produced by the HSE.

Rather than relying on generic advice, the guidance examines individual manufacturing activities and identifies the specific exposure risks associated with each process. This approach reflects a core occupational hygiene principle:

Effective control begins with understanding how exposure occurs

Respirable crystalline silica is generated whenever silica-containing materials are disturbed, processed, transferred or handled. The particles responsible for long-term lung disease are often invisible to the naked eye and can remain airborne for extended periods.

Historically, silica exposure within brick and tile manufacturing has been associated with:

Silicosis
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)
Lung cancer
Occupational respiratory disease

Many of the exposure scenarios described within the guidance remain highly relevant today and can be directly applied to other sectors including:

Construction
Stonemasonry
Ceramics
Quarrying
Concrete products manufacture
Refractory manufacture
Engineered stone processing

For LEV professionals, the guidance reinforces the importance of controlling contaminants at source. Dust suppression, enclosure and good housekeeping all have a role to play, but properly designed and maintained LEV systems remain one of the most effective engineering controls available.

The guidance also highlights a principle often overlooked within industry:

Exposure control is a process, not a piece of equipment

Successful control strategies depend upon good design, correct operation, routine maintenance, worker engagement and ongoing verification.

Key Learning Points

Silica Exposure Remains a Significant Occupational Health Risk

Respirable crystalline silica continues to be one of the most important occupational lung disease hazards encountered across UK industry.

Task-Specific Controls Deliver Better Outcomes

The guidance demonstrates how exposure control measures should be tailored to individual activities rather than relying solely on generic precautions.

LEV Is Most Effective When Applied Close to Source

Capturing contaminants where they are generated remains one of the most reliable methods of reducing worker exposure.

Housekeeping Plays an Important Supporting Role

Poor housekeeping can allow settled dust to become airborne again, increasing worker exposure and reducing the effectiveness of other control measures.

Exposure Controls Require Verification

Control measures should be routinely inspected, maintained and verified to ensure they continue to provide effective protection.

HSE Guidance Sheets Included Within the Series

BK0 – Advice for Managers

Provides an overview of silica risks, management responsibilities and exposure-control strategies.

BK1 – Clay Milling (Pug Mill)

Focuses on controlling dust generated during clay preparation and milling operations.

BK2 – Sand Moving and Screening

Addresses exposure risks associated with moving, screening and handling sand materials.

BK3 – Facing Green Bricks with Sand

Provides guidance on controlling dust generated during brick finishing operations.

BK4 – Moving Green and Fired Bricks

Examines exposure risks during brick transport and handling processes.

BK5 – Manual Dehacking and Batching

Focuses on dust control during manual handling and product preparation activities.

BK7 – Ventilated Vehicle Cabs

Explains how enclosed and ventilated cabs can reduce operator exposure to airborne dust.

Together, these documents provide a practical toolkit for controlling dust exposure throughout the manufacturing process.

Further Resources

Recommended Learning

Thought Leadership

LEVCentral Observation

Although originally developed for the brick and tile manufacturing sector, the HSE BK Series remains highly relevant to modern occupational hygiene and LEV practice.

The guidance demonstrates how effective exposure control is achieved by understanding individual work activities and applying appropriate engineering controls at source.

In an era where respirable crystalline silica continues to attract significant regulatory and industry attention, these guidance sheets remain an excellent example of practical occupational health risk management.