Construction once again accounted for the highest number of workplace deaths in the year to the end of March, according to figures from the Health & Safety Executive (HSE) published on 6 July.

There were 203 workplace deaths, 135 of them involving people at work and a further 68 members of the public. Construction accounted for 45 of the worker deaths.

They are absolute numbers, and because the construction industry employs so many people its death rate per 100,000 employees is third highest at 2.1, well below Agriculture, Forestry & Fishing’s 7.87 and Waste & Recycling’s 5.02.

And although people’s lives should not be at risk at work, the UK still kills fewer of its population at work each year than most countries, making it one of the safest countries in the world to work in.

The most likely way to die at work is by falling from a height. Next most likely is being hit by something heavy that is falling, and third is being hit by a vehicle.

Almost everyone (96%) of those killed at work in the latest figures was male, and the death rate of those over 65 was three-and-a-half times that of those under 65.

The total of 135 worker deaths in 2022/23 is higher than the previous year (123), but is in line with recent averages. There has been a long-term downward trend in the rate of fatal injuries at work, although in recent years the rate has been broadly flat.

This week's meeting of the Worktop Fabricators Federation (WFF), at Granite House in Preston, was attended by more than 40 members, with demonstrations from industry product suppliers.

Chris Pateman, the General Secretary of WFF, said: “Right at the beginning of the day, we made the point that talking and sharing with one another is vital if fabricators are to stay in tune with the regulator and ahead of the cowboys. Fabricators and suppliers have a common interest in maintaining the industry’s quality image – and delivering the kind of margins that enable us to invest in safe and efficient factories, which guarantee the industry’s future.”

The team at Granite House shared its own experiences throughout the day and demonstrated the Omar crane for safe lifting and manoeuvring of heavy materials. Matthew Pegg of ACAS Engineering was also in attendance revealing ways of using waste heat from compressors to preheat processed water making wet hand polishing more comfortable in colder weather.

Stonegate and Harrisons of Hull were also present to showcase respiratory protective equipment. Members were invited to discuss current issues, including alternatives to FFP2 face masks for workers with facial hair to protect them from silica dust.

Stonegate gave a demonstration of tooling outside. 

The risk of vibration damage (white finger) from using hand tools was raised by Keith Phillips from Havsco, who talked members through a wearable device for monitoring vibration for the duration of an entire shift. 

A key issue of the day was the need for recirculating water in cutting and polishing machines, with Simon Bradbury from Stone Industries Group (SiG) discussing the correct use of flocculants and coagulant additives to prevent pipes from clogging.

SIG's Trolex Air XS real time silica dust monitor was sampling the air in the showroom throughout the day. WFF has acquired one of these machines for the benefit of its members.

Even before the Dust Kills campaign by the Health & Safety Executive focussing on dust on building sites comes to an end on 13 July, another has started focussing on manufacturers.

Health & Safety Executive (HSE) inspectors have begun a targeted inspection initiative focusing on manufacturing businesses where materials that contain silica are used. It is not particularly focussing on stone fabricators, but they are not excluded. Brick and tile manufacturers, and foundries will also be visited.

Exposure to airborne particles of respirable crystalline silica (RCS) can lead to life-changing respiratory conditions such as silicosis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and lung cancer.

Crystalline silica is found in most stones, rocks, sand, and clay. Airborne particles are produced during many manufacturing tasks involving these materials. Over time, exposure to silica particles can impair a person’s ability to breathe and cause irreversible, often eventually fatal, lung diseases.

The manufacturer inspections, which started on Monday 3 July, are checking that employers and employees know the risks involved when dealing with RCS and that businesses have control measures in place to protect workers’ respiratory health.

The initiative is supported by HSE’s Dust Kills campaign. There is straight forward advice and guidance on the Work Right website for employers and employees, to help everyone understand the risks and how to protect respiratory health when processing materials that contain crystalline silica.

Employers have a legal duty to create suitable arrangements to manage health & safety and ensure they comply with the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 2002 (COSHH).

Inspectors will be looking for evidence that businesses have put in place effective control measures, such as dust extraction (LEV) and, where appropriate, use of water suppression and personal protective equipment such as masks (RPE) to reduce people’s exposure to RCS.

HSE warns that if any health & safety breaches are discovered it will take enforcement action.

David Butter, HSE’s head of manufacturing, says: “During the 2022 silica initiative inspection, findings indicated poor management of control measures, including engineering controls, cleaning and housekeeping, and RPE management. Employers should ensure control measures are used and maintained appropriately.

“We want employers and workers to make sure they are aware of the risks associated with the activities they do. To assist them we have advice and free resources on our Dust Kills campaign pages.”

The advice includes an employer's guide called Controlling exposure to stone dust. You can download a PDF version of it below.

The entrance to Staffordshire’s National Memorial Arboretum has a new feature – a sculpture by local artist Graeme Mitcheson in granite from Tarmac’s Mountsorrel Quarry, near Loughborough, in Leicestershire.

There are several examples of Graeme's work at the National Memorial Arboretum as well as many other public sites across the UK. 

The latest piece was added as part of the Arboretum’s contribution to The Queen’s Green Canopy – a tree planting initiative designed to honour the late monarch.

The nationwide initiative concluded in March. It saw more than 3million trees planted across the UK, including 28 along the entrance to the arboretum.

The 9-tonne block of granite includes 40 stainless steel elm, oak, and lime leaves, representing the trees planted in the arboretum’s contribution to The Queen’s Green Canopy.

As operators of Alrewas Quarry adjacent to the arboretum site, Tarmac has enjoyed a close relationship with the National Memorial Arboretum ever since it agreed to lease the land for the creation of the UK’s equivalent of America’s Arlington National Cemetery to commemorate the uniformed services for a ‘peppercorn rent’ in 1994.

The 150-acre site has since evolved into an inspirational landscape, home to more than 400 memorials dedicated to the armed forces, emergency services, and voluntary organisations that serve the country.

Philippa Rawlinson, director of the National Memorial Arboretum, says: “As our patron, Her Late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II was gracious and unwavering in her support for the arboretum over many years.

“It is wonderful that we were able to complete our contribution to The Queen’s Green Canopy at the arboretum on what would have been Queen Elizabeth II’s 97th birthday [21 April], as a celebration of her lifelong commitment to service.”

Nick Atkins, strategic planning manager (Central) for Tarmac, says: “We’re proud to continue our support for the National Memorial Arboretum and its ongoing work in nurturing a space which celebrates lives lived and commemorates lives lost.

“It is an honour to have been able to donate this piece of granite to mark the arboretum’s contribution to The Queen’s Green Canopy initiative.

“What a striking new addition to the arboretum! And a truly fitting tribute to Her Late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.”

Hard on the heels of the Chelsea Flower Show, Welsh Slate and Breedon Special Aggregates are supplying celebrated garden designer Paul Hervey-Brookes with materials for his latest garden at the RHS Hampton Court Palace Flower Show, open 4-9 July.

The Cancer Research UK Legacy garden has varying levels and is mostly hidden from the outside. Discovery happens when you step inside – stream inlets lead to a central body of water with an isolated jetty – a metaphor for the fear and loneliness cancer can bring – but facing the ‘Pledge Pavilion’, which symbolises hope and carries the message that, though the journey is difficult, it does not have to be made alone.

Welsh Slate and its parent company, Breedon, are supplying various landscaping materials to Paul’s Cancer Research UK Legacy garden at the show.

The garden reflects the hope and optimism brought about by gifts in wills, encouraging reflection, conversation, and connection in a tranquil woodland.

The Welsh Slate products are 15 boulders, 250mm x 500mm Penrhyn Riven paving, four glacial boulders, sliced glacial boulders, slate feature stones, rockery stone, and 40mm and 20mm Penrhyn Blue chippings.

From Breedon come 100mm concrete blocks from the group’s Wickwar site, various sized cobbles for the ‘river’ from the Wangford quarry, and Breedon Golden Amber self-binding gravel from Breedon quarry.

Paul’s garden at Hampton Court is being built by GK Wilson Landscapes, who also constructed his RBC Brewin Dolphin Garden at Chelsea Flower Show earlier this year.

Breedon is also supplying its Breedon Golden Amber self-binding gravel and MOT Type 1 sub-base to BBC Morning Live’s resident gardener, Mark Lane, who is creating the accessible RHS-BBC Morning Live garden at Hampton Court. This is being built by Augustine John Developments.

The next round of applications for up to £18,000 a time from the Queen Elizabeth Scholarship Trust (QEST) opens on 10 July. The money is to enable you to continue to develop your craft skills. You have until 14 August to apply.

Since it was created in 1990, QEST has awarded £5.5million to 800 individuals in more than 130 different crafts, including stonemasonry and stone carving. A directory of all those who have received scholarships can be seen on the QEST website (www.qest.org.uk) along with more details on how to apply.

In addition to QEST’s Scholarship and Apprenticeship funding, it has this summer launched an Emerging Maker Grant. This is to support talented early-career craftspeople through the launch of their businesses. Craftspeople that have set themselves up in business in the previous four years can apply for up to £10,000.

The funding specifically supports training and education, enabling you to enhance your craft skills and advance your career. The training can take many forms, from traditional college courses to vocational one-on-one training with a master craftsperson or a bespoke programme of short courses.

QEST is running three ‘How To’ sessions on Zoom to introduce those interested in applying for the grants to the different funding available, with tips and advice for filling in your application. There will be opportunities for a Q&As. The first on how to apply for a Scholarship is 12 July, 1-2pm. Click here to register.

On 18 July is a webinar on how to apply for an Apprenticeship. To register for that click here. And on 20 July is a presentation about how to apply for an Emerging Markers Grant – register here.

For more details on the funding opportunities available see: www.qest.org.uk/apply

Italian surface specialist Santamargherita has launched Surfalite, a 7mm material in slabs of 3300 x 1650mm for wet wall applications.

This lightweight, low maintenance surface is said to be resistant to mould and mildew and, therefore, ideal for use in bathrooms and shower rooms.

Taking inspiration from natural stone, there are 16 designs spanning a monochrome spectrum, including Nero (black), Carnia (dark grey) and Vittoria White. 

Santamargherita's Vice President of Sales, Michele Caneva, says: "We have been working on creating the surface of the future, and market research is showing that consumers prefer the look and feel of engineered stone slabs and porcelain for wet wall applications." 

Now in its second year, the Stone & Vision Awards is a photography competition that aims to promote discussion about stone and terrazzo in the built environment. It is run by In Opera Group, which specialises in materials including natural stone and marble.

This competition invited architects, architecture students and interior designers to submit photos of built projects that depict stone or terrazzo in commercial spaces, public or private landscapes or private buildings.

The shortlisted images went on display at The Building Centre in Store Street, London, from Monday 26 June and will be there until 7 July. The winners were announced on Thursday 29 June. To see the winners and the shortlisted entries click here.