Stonemason Forced to Change Careers After Silicosis Diagnosis

A stonemason who worked with quartz kitchen worktops has described how he had to leave his employment after being diagnosed with the incurable lung disease silicosis.

The man used an angle grinder to cut slabs into the required size. He described the work as very dusty and said that the extraction systems designed to remove the dust were not effective. Although he wore a mask, as instructed by his employer, this did not prevent him from breathing in silica dust.

After he suffered a mini-stroke caused by undiagnosed type 2 diabetes, doctors carried out a scan and noticed unusual scarring on his lungs. He was referred to specialists and a biopsy revealed that he had silicosis. He was told that the disease was related to his work and was advised to stop working with engineered stone in order to slow the progression of the disease. He now works in adult social care.

He has since taken legal advice and has now commenced a claim against his employer.