The Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB) has awarded the first Paul Dockerill Award to Dr Scott McGibbon to develop a new silica safety toolkit, expected to launch in 2026.

Worktop Fabricators Federation members and sponsors met with Health and Safety Executive representatives to discuss a new document advising on measures to prevent silicosis.

The International Surface Fabricators Association (ISFA) and the Worktop Fabricators Federation (WFF) have announced a partnership aimed at expanding resources, education and advocacy for surface fabricators across the globe.

MP Skills has become a member of the Association of Mental Health First Aiders, the first and only membership body in England dedicated to supporting mental health first aiders. This association, launched by Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) England, represents a significant step forward a commitment to enhancing mental health support and fostering a culture of wellbeing in the workplace and beyond.

The Worktop Fabricators Federation (WFF) has responded to growing concerns around silicosis with the release of a statement.

A new paper in the BMJ's International Respiratory & Critical Care Journal has reported the first eight cases of silicosis in those who cut and finish artificial stone worktops in the UK. The review found that one patient died and others are waiting for assessment for a lung transplant.

Italian industrial machine and plant specialist, Breton has launched its own White Paper – in response to the growing fears surrounding crystalline silica and the threat of silicosis. The company has produced an in-depth analysis drawing on its 60 years of experience in the stone industry and has been created by Breton Institute of Technology (BIT) scientists led by marketing & strategy director Arianna Toncelli.

An alliance in New Zealand, which includes New Zealand Council of Trade Unions, Construction Health and Safety New Zealand, the Asthma and Respiratory Foundation and others has written an open letter calling on the government to introduce a ban on engineered stone benchtops, panels and slabs.

In its latest report, the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has outlined its annual statistics concerning work-related fatal injuries. The findings, released on 3 July, reveal that 138 workers were killed in work-related accidents in 2023/24.

Australia's landmark ban on the manufacture, supply, processing and installation of engineered stone benchtops, panels and slabs commenced today.