The death of a stonemason diagnosed with silicosis after cutting kitchen worktops has seen a coroner demand “urgent action” from the Government and the workplace safety watchdog in order to protect workers.

Wessam al Jundi, 28, died in May 2024, five days after being admitted to hospital for a lung transplant following his diagnosis with a severe form of the deadly lung disease, according to a Prevention of Future Death (PFD) report

The Senior Coroner for west London, Lydia Brown, has written to the Department of Health, the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) and the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) demanding a “timetable for action” to tackle the dangers of cutting engineered stone.

Ms Brown wrote: “Wessam had been working with artificial stone products which contain a very high percentage of crystalline silica content.

“During the course of the investigation my inquiries revealed matters giving rise to concern.

“In my opinion there is a risk that future deaths could occur unless action is taken.