Marek Marzec, a father-of-three, died aged 48 at London’s Whittington Hospital on Saturday 30 November from respiratory failure due to silicosis.
Mr Marzec’s cause of death has been listed as ‘artificial stone silicosis’ on the proposed death certificate.
His death comes amid growing calls for the Government to act to protect workers after a 28-year-old tradesman died from the same condition in the UK earlier this year.
“Marek was a beloved father and brother who will be missed by all of us, but we are proud of the legacy he has left by speaking up for the victims of silicosis.”
Workers have contracted the deadly lung disease silicosis after cutting high-silica engineered stone (Photo: Bill Oxford/Getty/E+)
The firm has launched legal action against three of Marzec’s former employers, alleging he was exposed to unsafe conditions that are likely to have led to his diagnosis.
“My thoughts are with his family, in particular his three daughters, who have lost their father in entirely avoidable circumstances.
The i Paper spoke to Mr Marzec from his hospital bed by which point he knew he only had weeks to live.
Employers failed to provide adequate safety equipment, he said, offering only face masks.
Confirmed cases have risen sharply in recent months, with 18 men now diagnosed, the youngest aged 24. Including Marzec, two have died, while another two have been referred for lung transplant assessment.
Wessam al Jundi, 28, died in May five days after being admitted to hospital for a lung transplant. He contracted a severe form of silicosis while working in a London workshop.
In her Prevention of Future Death report, she demanded a “timetable for action” to tackle the dangers of cutting engineered stone.
Both parties are required to provide a response by 23 December.
'It is like being back in Victorian times' – low pay, uncertain hours and a workforce in revolt
Read MoreQuartz worktops have become an increasingly popular choice for kitchen refurbishments, but the manmade stone contains high amounts of silica.
There have also been calls for the HSE to receive greater funding and a legal requirement for employers to report cases of silicosis.
In July, Australia became the first country in the world to ban engineered stone after hundreds of stonemasons were diagnosed with silicosis, most aged under 35, according to a report by policy body Safe Work Australia.
There are also outbreaks in other countries, including Spain and Israel.
Have you been affected by this issue? Please contact joe.duggan@inews.co.uk
Read More Details
Finally We wish PressBee provided you with enough information of ( Stonemason dies from lung disease after cutting stone for kitchen revamps )
Also on site :