Tragic Death of Stoneworker Sparks Urgent Call for Safety Reforms in Industry

Marek Marzec, a father-of-three, tragically succumbed to silicosis, a lung disease he developed after years of working in perilous conditions while cutting quartz kitchen worktops. The 48-year-old, who had been employed by several engineered stone manufacturers in north London and Hertfordshire since 2012, faced a devastating decline in health leading to respiratory failure, ultimately resulting in his death at the Whittington Hospital in London on November 30. In recent months, Marek had become an outspoken advocate for workplace safety, using his own harrowing experience to raise awareness about the dangers associated with inhaling dust from engineered stone. This dust, containing crystalline silica, is known to cause severe respiratory illnesses, including silicosis, which has seen a rise in diagnoses among stoneworkers. Marek was too ill to receive a lung transplant, which might have extended his life, and was given only weeks to live after his health sharply deteriorated. His sister, Monika Woźniak, expressed the family's grief, commending Marek's bravery in facing his illness and his commitment to preventing similar fates for others in the industry. "Marek fought so bravely in the face of his diagnosis," she stated. "He spoke out to the media about engineered stone and the appalling conditions in which he worked. We are proud of the legacy he has left by speaking up for the victims of silicosis." Marek's legal team at Leigh Day is representing him and other former stoneworkers suffering from similar conditions, calling for urgent reforms in safety regulations. The legal firm argues that the engineered stone sector poses a significant risk, and without immediate action, more lives could be lost to preventable diseases like silicosis. Ewan Tant, a solicitor at Leigh Day, underscored the urgency of the situation, expressing concern over the potential for additional avoidable deaths if the industry does not implement stricter safety measures. Marek's own words from a hospital bed painted a stark picture of his anguish: "I arrived in the UK hoping to build a better life... Instead, because of the work I did cutting quartz worktops, I have been left unable to breathe and in terrible pain." His anger reflected a broader frustration within the industry regarding inadequate protections for workers exposed to hazardous materials. A recent study has indicated a troubling trend among stoneworkers, revealing that many are developing acute forms of silicosis that lead to significant breathing difficulties and disabilities. With lung transplants often being the only viable treatment, the grim reality is that many, like Marek, may be too far gone to receive such care. The circumstances surrounding Marek Marzec's death serve as a painful reminder of the dangers faced by workers in the engineered stone industry. His family hopes that his story will catalyze change, urging both the industry and health authorities to take decisive action to protect workers from similar fates. As the community mourns the loss of a devoted father and brother, the call for improved safety standards becomes more pressing than ever.