Good
Practice
Guide

For the safe fabrication of Silestone®,
Dekton®, Integrity®, SILQ® designed by Cosentino®, Sensa®, Scalea® & Prexury® by Cosentino®

REV 07 – 04/2022

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WARNING

This guide has been prepared for professionals (stonemasons, installers, etc.) and provides information and recommendations on the risk classification, and health and safety issues to be considered in the cutting, grinding, polishing and installation of SILESTONE®, DEKTON®, ECO®, SENSA®, SCALEA®, INTEGRITY® and PREXURY® BY COSENTINO®.

These products contain different amounts of crystalline silica. Processing them incorrectly or without adopting the appropriate safety measures can cause serious illnesses.

IN NO CASE IS THIS GUIDE EXHAUSTIVE OR SUBSTITUTIVE OF THE LEGAL OBLIGATIONS IN REGARDS OF HEALTH AND SAFETY UNDER THE APPLICABLE LOCAL REGULATIONS. ALWAYS OBTAIN ADVICE FROM YOUR ADMINISTRATION AND FROM A PROFESSIONAL INDUSTRIAL HYGIENIST TO IMPLEMENT THE OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY MEASURES REQUIRED TO MEET THE REGULATORY REQUIREMENTS AND TO MITIGATE THE EXPOSITION TO DUST, AS THE REQUIRED SAFETY MEASURES DEPEND ON THE SPECIFIC CONDITIONS OF THE WORKPLACE.

Exposure to respirable crystalline silica

SENSA® BY COSENTINO® are granite and quartzite stones.

SCALEA® BY COSENTINO® includes natural stones such as marble, granite, sandstone, limestone, quartzite, slate, soapstone and travertine.

SILESTONE® and INTEGRITY® DESIGNED BY COSENTINO® are inorganic mineral agglomerate composites.

PREXURY BY COSENTINO® includes precious or semi-precious natural stones held together by a polymerized resin.

DEKTON® DESIGNED BY COSENTINO is ultra-compact surface of sintered minerals.

SILQ® DESIGNED BY COSENTINO are quartz agglomerate composites.

These products might contain different levels of crystalline silica in the form of quartz or cristobalite. Below it is indicated the risk classification for the different crystalline silica content ranges. For more precise crystalline silica content of specific products, please contact COSENTINO GLOBAL S.L.U.

Health & safety information about respirable fraction of crystalline silica (SiO2).

Crystalline silica is a ubiquitous component in the earth’s crust, present in many types of minerals (such as granite, slate, quartzite, sand, clay) and artificial materials (such as cement, concrete or ceramics). Respirable size particles of crystalline silica may result when workers chip, cut, drill or grind these objects.
Respirable crystalline silica may present a health hazard if workers are not properly protected and workplaces are not properly controlled to reduce silica dust.

Inadequate processing of the material or without the pertinent protective measures, may cause a number of diseases known as pneumoconiosis (among which silicosis is highlighted), or lung cancer. For more details of the risks see the Safety Data Sheets available at osh.cosentino.com

SIGNAL WORD: DANGER

PRECAUTIONARY STATEMENTS:

P201: Obtain special instructions before use.

P202: Do not handle until all safety precautions have been read and understood.

P260: Do not breathe dust.

P264: Wash hands and face thoroughly after handling.

P270: Do no eat, drink or smoke when using this product.

P284: Wear respiratory protection with particle filtering (at least P3 or N95)

International emergency phone line (ChemTel Inc.): +1-813-248-0585

SILESTONE®, ECO®, INTEGRITY®.

Crystalline silica content:
Q10: 1-10% SiO2; Q40: 11-40% SiO2; Q50: 41-50% SiO2; Others: 51-90% SiO2

*Products Q10, Q40 and Q50 are identified on the back of the slab and with a label on the edge.

HAZARD STATEMENTS:

Silestone® Q10:

H373: May cause damage to organs (lungs) through prolonged or repeated exposure (via inhalation)

H350i: May cause cancer by inhalation.

H335: May cause respiratory irritation.

Silestone® Q40, Q50 and rest of products:

H372: Causes damage to organs (lung) through prolonged or repeated exposure (via inhalation).

H350i: May cause cancer by inhalation.

H335: May cause respiratory irritation.

DEKTON®. Crystalline silica (SiO2) total content in product: 5 – 11%.

HAZARD STATEMENTS:

H372: Causes damage to organs (lung) through prolonged or repeated exposure (via inhalation)

H350i: May cause cancer by inhalation.

H335: May cause respiratory irritation.

SENSA® y SCALEA®. Crystalline silica (SiO2) total content in product: 0 -99% (depending on the type of natural stone).

HAZARD STATEMENTS.

Granite, sandstone, quartzite, slate:

H372: Causes damage to organs (lung) through prolonged or repeated exposure (via inhalation)

H350i: May cause cancer by inhalation.

H335: May cause respiratory irritation.

HAZARD STATEMENTS. Marble:

H373: May cause damage to organs (lungs) through prolonged or repeated exposure (via inhalation)

H350i: May cause cancer by inhalation.

H335: May cause respiratory irritation.

PREXURY®. Crystalline silica (SiO2) total content in product: >90% (except Labradorite with <1%)

HAZARD STATEMENTS:

H372: Causes damage to organs (lung) through prolonged or repeated exposure (via inhalation)

H350i: May cause cancer by inhalation.

H335: May cause respiratory irritation.

SILQ®. Crystalline silica content: 51-92%

HAZARD STATEMENTS:

H372: Causes damage to organs (lung) through prolonged or repeated exposure (via inhalation).

H350i: May cause cancer by inhalation.

H335: May cause respiratory irritation.

Although these guides contain information and recommendations on occupational safety and health, they are not exhaustive, nor they exonerate to professionals and their workers of their responsibility to evaluate the risks and implementing the safety measures of that are applicable to them.

Fabricators and installers of SILESTONE®, DEKTON®, Eco®, Sensa®, Scalea®, Integrity®, SILQ® and Prexury® by Cosentino® are required to at least comply with all local laws and regulations pertaining to occupational health and safety. In addition to the information in this Guide, it is also recommended that fabricators and installers of SILESTONE®, DEKTON®, ECO®, SENSA®, SCALEA®, INTEGRITY®, SILQ® and PREXURY® BY COSENTINO® become familiar with the information provided by your local administration or sectorial associations in relation to the work with crystalline silica.

In particular it is recommended consulting the good practice guides published in several languages by NEPSI (European Network for Silica), by the American OSHA (Occupational American Safety and Health Administration), by SWA (Safe Work Australia), or the Technical Note of Prevention 890 of the Spanish INSST (National Institute of Safety and Health at Work).

Visit www.insst.es, www.nepsi.eu, www.swa.gov.au and www.osha.gov for more information.

Namely, these instructions provide basic information and advice on:

  • Organizaciones no Access to the workplace
  • Water-injected hand machines and tools
  • Local extraction and filtration systems
  • General ventilation in factories plants
  • Periodic maintenance and supervision
  • Cleaning
  • Dust monitoring
  • Other risks: cuts, projected particles, noise, handling
    loads
  • Installation of worktops
  • Personal Protective Equipment
  • Hygiene
  • Training and information for workers
  • Health Surveillance

Preventive measures

 Access to work area

Restrict access to work areas to authorized personnel only. Put signs when the area is at risk.

Water-injected hand cutting machines and tools

There are two main methods to control the focus of the source of silica dust: tools with water supply (preferred method) and localized filtration and extraction systems (as a complement), and wet collection filters.

Always use tools provided with water supply. All the tasks of cutting, carving, polishing and finishing of the materials must be carried out using tools with water supply system. Water should be clean, abundant and directed towards the area where the cut, the carving or the polishing is performed.
The moistened dust must be discarded to prevent it from drying out and being suspended in the
air. Water pumps, hoses and nozzles must be kept in excellent operation condition and shall be
cleaned periodically. When working with water it is essential to avoid electrical hazards by using ground-fault circuit-interrupters (GFCI) and waterproof and sealed electrical connectors for tools and electrical equipment. Workers who work in wet areas should also wear rubber boots.

Local extraction and filtration systems

Use a recognised exhaust ventilation supplier. Only use qualified engineers to carry out the design and the installation. Check periodically the efficacy of the equipment with accredited measurements.

The design should include the following items: a hood, an enclosure or other inlet to collect and contain contaminants, ducts to remove contaminants away from the source, a filter or any other air cleaning device, normally placed between the hood and fan, a fan or other device to move air to provide the air flow, and finally other ducts to discharge the clean air outside the workplace.

Apply local exhaust ventilation at the generation source to capture the dust.

Encapsulate and seal the source of dust as much as possible, so as to hinder spreading of this dust.

Local exhaust ventilation should be connected to a suitable dust extraction unit (e.g. a bag filter or cyclone).

Workers should not to stand between the source of exposure and the local exhaust ventilation; otherwise, they will be directly in the path of the contaminated air flow. Please observe periodically the position of workers and train them.

Whenever possible, place the work area away from doors, windows or passageways to prevent air currents from interfering with local aspiration points and the spreading of dust.

Ensure that there is a clean air supply to replace the extracted air.

The air extracting ducts shall be short and with simple forms, avoiding long sections of flexible ducts and unnecessary bending, joints or elbows.

Discharge extracted air to a safe place away from doors, windows and air inlets.

A highly advisable practice consists in the instalation and use of water courtains as a method of localized dust extraction.

General ventilation in factories

A good general ventilation system must be in use, since the hazardous dust is very fine and it can remain suspended in the air for long periods.

Make sure the room is correctly ventilated, if needed, by using forced ventilation. Ensure the ventilation system does not move settled dust and that contaminated air does not spread to clean areas.

Dust suppression sprayers (fine atomization sprayers) can be used to prevent the suspension
of dust in the air coming from entry or exit routes, or from transport conveyors.

Implement the necessary measures to assure the emissions from the extraction systems comply with the local environmental legislation.

Periodic maintenance and supervision

Ensure equipment is maintained in good working condition as advised by the supplier’s recommendations manual.

Implement a Periodic Maintenance Plan favouring a preventive maintenance over a corrective one.

Clean the equipment on a regular basis, at least one time at the end of the shift. Do not clean with a dry brush or using compressed air. Do not allow dust/waste deposits to dry out before they are cleaned up.

Ensure the local exhaust ventilation is maintained in good working condition in accordance with the supplier’s or the installer’s recommendations. Noisy or vibrating fans can indicate a problem.

Replace consumables (filters, etc) in accordance with the manufacturer’s recommendations.

Do not modify any part of the system. If you do so, check with the supplier to ensure that the system retains the CE mark or make inspection and risk assessment by and licensed expert.

You should receive instructions for use and a diagram of the installed systems. You must receive a commissioning report showing the airflows at all inlets, the air speed in the ducts and the pressure index in the cleaner or filter.

Please contact the supplier for information on the expected performance of the local exhaust ventilation. Keep this information to compare with future test results.

At least once a week, visually inspect the equipment for signs of damage. If they are constantly used, check them more frequently. If used rarely, check before each use.

Keep records of inspections for the period of time required by the country’s laws (recommended minimum five years).

Cleaning

Because the hazardous dust is very fine and can go easily to the air and so may stay there for days it is important to have a comprehensive housekeeping program.

Clean the equipment every day, at least one time before leaving for home.

Clean the workplace daily. Use walls and flooring surfaces that can easily be kept clean and that do not absorb or accumulate dust.

Clean floors and other surfaces on a regular basis. Clean also the entire warehouse structures and inlet roof.

Use cleaning methods with water supply or vacuum aspiration (industrial vacuum cleaners with HEPA filter). Do not clean with a dry brush or compressed air, as this will greatly increase the exposure level. Take care of spills immediately. Do not allow wet dust / debris deposits to dry before they are disposed.

If vacuum cleaning systems are required for spill of large volumes of dust, they should be especially designed to avoid overloading and blocking.

When it is not possible to use wet or vacuum cleaning methods, and only dry cleaning with brushes can be carried out. Make sure that workers wear the appropriate personal protective equipment and that measures are taken to prevent crystalline silica dust from spreading outside the work area.

When necessary, to prevent dust from spreading between building levels, use solid floors and cover them with a wear-resistant material, colored to highlight dust contamination.

Control panels can be protected from dust by using a plastic barrier or similar membrane.

When using wet cleaning methods, provide an adequate number of correctly positioned water connection points.

Ensure that there is also an adequate number of connection points for aspiration when using a central vacuum cleaning system.

Dust monitoring

Risk assessment should be carried out to determine whether existing controls are adequate. Both personal and static measurements can be used together, as they are complementary. It is up to the Industrial Hygiene specialists contracted by employers to propose for the most appropriate solutions, while respecting the applicable legislation.

The sampling strategy, equipment used, analysis methods etc, must be defined by the Industrial Hygiene specialists. Keep complete records of dust monitoring data and adopt a quality system as described above. The personnel in charge of the samplings should set a good example and wear respiratory protection equipment in the required areas. The dust monitoring must be performed periodically. Please check NEPSI agreement.