Artificial Stone Silicosis: Accumulation of errors in the resurgence of an occupational disease: A qualitative study

Article type: Research Article

Authors: Pérez-Alonso, Aránzazu^{a; *} | González-Domínguez, María Eugenia^b | Novalbos-Ruiz, José Pedro^{c; f} | León-Jiménez, Antonio^{d; f} | Córdoba-Doña, Juan Antonio^{e; f}

Affiliations: [a] Occupational Health and Safety Department, Navantia, San Fernando, Cádiz, Spain | [b] Occupational Health and Safety Department, Airbus, El Puerto de Santa María, Cádiz, Spain | [c] Biomedicine, Biotechnology and Public Health Department, University of Cádiz, Cádiz, Spain | [d] Pulmonology, Alergology and Thoracic Surgery Service, University Hospital of Puerta del Mar, Cádiz, Spain | [e] Preventive Medicine and Public Health Service, University Hospital of Jerez de la Frontera, Cádiz, Spain | [f] Biomedical Research and Innovation Institute of Cádiz (INiBICA), Cádiz, Spain

Correspondence: [*] Address for correspondence: Aránzazu Pérez-Alonso, Occupational Health and Safety, Navantia, Carretera de la Carraca s/n, 11100, San Fernando, Cádiz, Spain. Tel.: +34 648848444; E-mails: Aran_21_3@hotmail.com; Aranzazu.perez.sspa@juntadeandalucia.es; Apereza@navantia.es

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Exposure to artificial stone machining, under the conditions in which marble workers work with this new product, can cause silicosis. OBJECTIVE: To examine the experiences of marble workers affected, both in workshop and during home installation of countertops, before diagnosis of silicosis. METHODS: Qualitative study in which 10 open-ended semistructured interviews were conducted with marble workers diagnosed with silicosis after machining artificial stone countertops in Cádiz, Spain. Interviews were recorded, transcribed, and coded using a directed content analysis. Codes were organized into themes. RESULTS: Interviews up to 120 minutes and transcript analysis revealed three themes: 1) Heavy exposure for piecework: construction boom in an environment of labor deregulation and high demand for the novel product; 2) Poor working conditions: dry machining of artificial stone without proper protection in the workshop and greater exposure during home installation of countertops; 3) Concatenated legal transgressions: deficiencies in prevention and health surveillance without safety conditions for the correct handling of artificial stone. CONCLUSIONS: The fight against an emerging occupational disease—artificial stone silicosis—should focus on detecting affected workers and avoiding new cases, forcing joint efforts to achieve rigorous compliance with health surveillance and protecting marble workers to achieve healthy and safe workplaces.

Keywords: Engineered stone, countertops, hazardousness, prevention, safe workplaces

DOI: 10.3233/WOR-213582

Journal: Work, vol. 70, no. 2, pp. 433-442, 2021