HSE HSG201 – Controlling Exposure to Stonemasonry Dust

HSE’s Definitive Guide to Managing Stone Dust and Respirable Crystalline Silica (RCS)

LEVCentral Expert Commentary

HSG201 – Controlling Exposure to Stone Dust is HSE’s principal guidance document for anyone involved in the processing, cutting, shaping or finishing of natural and artificial stone. Published in a fully revised second edition in 2022, it replaces the earlier Controlling Exposure to Stonemasonry Dust guidance and reflects significant developments in our understanding of respirable crystalline silica (RCS), including the increasing use of engineered and sintered stone worktops, which can contain exceptionally high levels of crystalline silica.

This is one of the most comprehensive HSE publications on dust control. Rather than focusing solely on LEV, it adopts a complete occupational hygiene approach, covering risk assessment, process design, water suppression, Local Exhaust Ventilation (LEV), Respiratory Protective Equipment (RPE), health surveillance, workplace exposure monitoring and housekeeping.

For LEV professionals, HSG201 is particularly valuable because it demonstrates that effective silica control almost always requires a combination of engineering controls. Local Exhaust Ventilation is fundamental, but it is rarely used in isolation. The guidance explains how extraction, wet working methods, process selection and operator behaviour should work together to minimise exposure.

Perhaps most importantly, the document reinforces that silicosis, COPD and silica-related lung cancer remain entirely preventable diseases when suitable engineering controls are properly designed, commissioned, maintained and used.

View HSE Guide

View Original HSG201 Guidance

Key Learning Points

HSG201 explains:

The health effects of stone dust and respirable crystalline silica (RCS).
The differences between natural stone and engineered/artificial stone.
The Workplace Exposure Limit (WEL) for RCS.
COSHH duties and risk assessment.
Applying the Hierarchy of Control.
Selecting suitable engineering controls.
The use of water suppression.
The design and application of Local Exhaust Ventilation (LEV).
Combining water suppression with LEV for maximum effectiveness.
Control measures for specific stone-working tasks, including:
- Primary and secondary sawing.
- Hand-held cut-off saws.
- Hand-held grinders and polishers.
- Pneumatic chiselling.
- CNC machining.
- Edge polishing.
- Surface finishing.
- Water jet cutting.
- Slate processing.
Cleaning and housekeeping.
Workplace exposure monitoring.
Health surveillance.
Information, instruction and training.

Source Document Information

Organisation: Health and Safety Executive (HSE)

Document: HSG201 – Controlling Exposure to Stone Dust

Edition: Second Edition (2022)

Document Type: Health and Safety Guidance (HSG)

Primary Topics: Respirable Crystalline Silica, Stone Dust, LEV, Water Suppression, COSHH, Occupational Hygiene, Stonemasonry, Engineered Stone.

Audience: Stonemasons, Kitchen Worktop Fabricators, Monumental Masons, Quarry Operators, Construction Contractors, LEV Designers, Occupational Hygienists, Health & Safety Professionals, Commissioning Engineers and Duty Holders.

LEVCentral Perspective

HSG201 is arguably the UK’s definitive publication on controlling respirable crystalline silica in the stone industry.

One of its greatest strengths is that it recognises there is no single engineering solution. The most effective control strategy depends on the material being processed, the equipment being used and the way the work is undertaken. Throughout the document, HSE consistently promotes a combination of:

selecting lower-risk processes where possible;
using water suppression to prevent dust becoming airborne;
applying well-designed Local Exhaust Ventilation;
ensuring effective housekeeping;
providing suitable RPE where residual risks remain; and
maintaining all control measures in good working order.

The updated edition is particularly welcome because it addresses engineered stone, an area that has become one of the most significant occupational health concerns worldwide. Many engineered stones contain over 90% crystalline silica, meaning dust generated during fabrication can present an exceptionally high health risk if effective controls are not in place.

For LEV engineers, HSG201 also provides practical examples of where source extraction should be applied and how it should be combined with wet methods. This reinforces an important design principle:

The best silica control systems prevent dust from becoming airborne in the first place, then capture any remaining airborne dust before it reaches the worker.

Further Resources

HSG201 forms part of a comprehensive suite of HSE guidance on silica dust. Readers may also find the following publications valuable:

HSE Publication	Description
INDG463 – Control of Exposure to Silica Dust	Employee guide explaining the health risks from respirable crystalline silica and the importance of dust controls.
INDG461 – Using Cut-off Saws: A Guide to Protecting Your Lungs	Practical guidance on controlling silica dust during cut-off saw operations.
EH40 – Workplace Exposure Limits	Current Workplace Exposure Limit for respirable crystalline silica.
G404 – Health Surveillance for Those Exposed to Respirable Crystalline Silica	Guidance on health surveillance programmes.
HSE ST Series	COSHH Essentials guidance sheets for stonemasonry and silica-generating processes.
HSE QY Series	Guidance on silica control in quarries.
COSHH Approved Code of Practice (L5)	Legal framework for controlling hazardous substances.
HSG258 – Controlling Airborne Contaminants at Work	Comprehensive guidance on LEV design, commissioning and Thorough Examination & Testing.

Recommended Learning

Thought Leadership

HSG201 demonstrates how occupational hygiene has evolved over the past two decades.

Earlier guidance concentrated largely on traditional stonemasonry. Today’s edition reflects the emergence of engineered stone, increasing recognition of silica-related lung disease and a much greater emphasis on integrated engineering controls. Rather than viewing LEV, water suppression and RPE as separate options, HSE presents them as complementary elements within a single exposure control strategy.

From a LEVCentral perspective, HSG201 is also an excellent example of evidence-based engineering. It does not simply recommend installing extraction; it explains how different tasks generate dust, which controls are most effective for each process and why those controls must be maintained throughout the life of the installation.

Ultimately, the message is straightforward. Stone dust diseases are preventable. By combining competent risk assessment, thoughtful process design, effective water suppression, well-designed Local Exhaust Ventilation, suitable respiratory protection where necessary, health surveillance and informed workers, employers can dramatically reduce the risk of silicosis, COPD and silica-related lung cancer.

HSG201 provides one of the clearest roadmaps available for achieving that objective.