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Stone worker with terminal silicosis says cutting quartz kitchen worktops in unsafe working conditions has cost him his life

A stone worker in hospital with terminal silicosis says he developed the disease after inhaling dust while cutting engineered stone, known as quartz, kitchen worktops in unsafe working conditions.

Posted on 28 October 2024

48-year-old Marek Marzec, a father of three originally from Poland, but living in London, has worked for several engineered stone manufacturers in north London and Hertfordshire since 2012. He was diagnosed with silicosis in April this year. Since then, his condition has rapidly deteriorated, and he has been told by doctors he has only weeks to live. 

Marek is being treated at Whittington Hospital in London and is also under the care of leading occupational lung disease expert Dr Jo Feary from the Royal Brompton Hospital. His silicosis is now at an advanced stage and, having become too unwell to undergo a potentially life-saving lung transplant, he is now receiving end-of-life care.  

 

Marek Marzec
Image of Marek Marzec

 

Marek is taking legal action against his former employers and is represented by law firm Leigh Day. The firm represents a growing number of stone workers diagnosed with silicosis after manufacturing engineered stone kitchen worktops. Marek has told his legal team that, despite the severity of his condition, he wants to speak out about the dangers of working with engineered stone. 

The cutting and grinding processes to produce quartz worktops release large amounts of dangerous silica dust which can be inhaled by workers if proper safety measures are not put in place. Workers have described working in appalling conditions in dust filled rooms with no windows, no effective extraction equipment or respirators. 

A recent study found that some of the workers have developed a particularly acute form of silicosis which causes significant shortness of breath and severe disability, with a lung transplant often being the only potential treatment. For some, like Marek, this procedure is not a viable option, meaning the disease can be fatal. 

The Leigh Day legal team say tougher safety measures are urgently needed to halt the growing number of cases of the disease linked to cutting engineered stone, which has already claimed the life of at least one other stone worker. 

Speaking from hospital, Marek Marzec said: 

“I arrived in the UK hoping to build a better life and wanting to make sure that my young daughters were financially secure. Instead, because of the work I did cutting quartz worktops, I have been left unable to breathe and in terrible pain. I cannot tell you how angry I am that I was allowed to work in these conditions and that my life has been cut short simply for doing my job. I am not the only person whose life has been put at risk by this lethal dust. It is time for urgent action to stop these dangerous working conditions I had to face before other stone workers contract this terrible disease and die.”

Marek’s solicitor, Leigh Day partner Ewan Tant said: 

“This is a tragic case, with my client now on end-of-life care as a result of working with engineered stone, in what he alleges were appalling conditions, totally unfit for purpose. No-one should end up facing the bleakest of outcomes simply as a result of going to work. We are deeply concerned that, unless something is done to address the dangers of working with engineered stone without proper protection, we may be looking at more cases with similarly appalling – and potentially fatal - outcomes in the near future.” 

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Asbestos and mesothelioma Industrial disease

Ewan Tant

Ewan specialises in asbestos-related disease claims

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Engineered stone and the rise of silicosis diagnoses

Ewan Tant, Partner, and Andrew Cooper, Senior Associate, explain what silicosis is and the dangers posed by engineered stone.