Public Sector: Stone
The question
To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether he plans to introduce workplace safety considerations into procurement standards relating to engineered stone products used in publicly funded developments.
Answered by Samantha Dixon
Recognising this question could apply to any publicly funded building, Contracting Authorities can already apply relevant workplace safety considerations where relevant to publicly procured contracts, including for engineered stone products.
Where such materials are specified on MHCLG contracts, Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH) regulations require our suppliers to protect their staff to ensure that hazardous exposure is prevented or adequately controlled.
COSHH guidance on the use and cutting of engineered stone products has recently been issued by the Health and Safety Executive (ST3A), along with increased enforcement of standards and an awareness campaign here.
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