WFF launches first-of-its-kind quality mark to protect worktop fabricators

The Worktop Fabrication Federation (WFF) has announced the launch of a new industry quality mark designed to help consumers, designers, retailers and specifiers identify kitchen worktops and surfaces that have been fabricated safely, without risking workers’ health.

The move comes amid rising cases of silicosis linked to unsafe working practices. It aims to distinguish responsible businesses committed to safety, professionalism and quality from those that compromise standards and endanger the workforce.

Underpinned by regular, independent workplace assessments conducted by professionally registered occupational hygienists, the quality mark focuses on the recognition, evaluation and control of workplace health hazards. Participating companies will also actively promote the Lungs at Work project, which provides a direct referral pathway for workers to access medical screening if they may have been over-exposed to respirable crystalline silica in the past. In addition, accredited businesses will commit to enhanced health surveillance aligned with new clinical recommendations for early detection of respiratory risk.

The scheme enables the construction supply chain and retailers to verify whether high-silica products, including engineered stone, have been fabricated in environments that comply with recognised good control practices. Importantly, the quality mark extends beyond engineered stone to cover all high-silica materials that may pose a health risk. Companies’ accreditation status will be clearly displayed and easily verified via the WFF website, offering transparency and helping stakeholders make informed compliance decisions.

Fabricators participating in the scheme must commit to robust management systems and processes designed to prevent hazardous exposure, monitor workers’ health, and ensure comprehensive training and awareness of the dangers associated with poor practices, including the safe storage and handling of materials. The accreditation aligns with British Occupational Hygiene Society (BOHS) and the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) guidance on the suitable and sufficient control of risks arising from working with high-silica materials, with BOHS experts continually reviewing and strengthening the criteria.

BOHS has worked closely with WFF to develop impactful worker training, understand barriers to effective control, and generate research insights to better support businesses and employees in reducing the risk of occupational ill health.

The requirement for independent occupational hygiene assessments of control effectiveness represents a landmark first for British manufacturing. The quality mark is set to be rolled out in the New Year.

Kevin Bampton, CEO, BOHS said: "The WFF quality mark should give the supply chain and consumers a clear choice. Buying a worktop from an accredited company means you are buying from a business able and willing to protect a worker's health. Buying elsewhere means you are willing to risk having a beautiful kitchen at the cost of someone's health or life."

Dr Johanna Feary FRCP, PhD added: “Silicosis is a preventable but irreversible lung disease, and we are seeing increasing numbers of cases linked to poorly controlled exposure to respirable crystalline silica. An initiative such as this kitemark, which focuses on education, effective exposure control, avoidance of products with high silica content, and early health surveillance, is a significant step forward in protecting workers’ respiratory health. Schemes like this have the potential not only to reduce future disease, but to identify people at risk earlier, when interventions can still make a meaningful difference.”

Dr Scott McGibbon, director, Pvotal Consultancy, said: "The Worktop Fabricators Federation (WFF) partnership with BOHS, underpinned by the new WFF quality mark, signals a strong commitment to raising occupational hygiene standards and providing trusted, independently verified assurance of workplace health practices. It represents a step toward greater credibility, collaboration, and confidence in protecting worker health.

"This aligns with the Resident, Client & Construction Professional silica dust toolkit (ReACT), which we are developing and due for release in May 2026, funded by the Chartered Institute of Building. It offers the opportunity to anyone who is managing/undertaking/involved in construction works to improve their understanding and awareness of the silica dust dangers.

"Both these initiatives will support creating healthier, more accessible, and informed communities for all. Everyone should be able to breathe safely in their homes without risking poor health outcomes.”