this post was submitted on 19 Dec 2024
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48-year-old man dies after being given weeks to live following exposure to toxic material in kitchen worktops (www.ladbible.com)
submitted 7 months ago by Bampot@lemmy.world to c/dangerdust@lemmy.world
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A father-of-three who was given weeks to live has died after inhaling 'lethal' dust from kitchen worktops in his job.

Marek Marzec, 48, originally from Poland, had been working as a stoneworker in the UK since 2012.

Having cut kitchen worktops in 'appalling working conditions' throughout his career, he eventually developed silicosis - a long-term lung disease caused by the inhalation of large amounts of crystalline silica dust.

The disease had reached such an advanced stage that he was given just weeks to live at the end of October.

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[–] graycube@lemmy.world 45 points 7 months ago (1 children)

If you are cutting or polishing stone, wear a mask. This is not a new idea.

[–] jared@mander.xyz 29 points 7 months ago (4 children)

It's weird that so many would rather die than put on a mask.

[–] hraegsvelmir@lemm.ee 22 points 7 months ago

A lot of trade work has dumb, macho work culture. Current safety standards and PPE requirements have also proven so effective in many cases, the current generation don't know anyone who has suffered the horrible consequences of ignoring these regulations and assume it's all overblown, nanny state nonsense as a result.

[–] SkaveRat@discuss.tchncs.de 10 points 7 months ago (1 children)

But wearing a mask is not manly!

[–] jared@mander.xyz 2 points 7 months ago

Ok dad.

[–] Anticorp@lemmy.world 6 points 7 months ago* (last edited 7 months ago) (1 children)

A lot of crappy jobs don't provide them, and buying your own isn't economically feasible when you have a crappy job.

[–] PlantDadManGuy@lemmy.world 5 points 7 months ago (1 children)

Yeah, no, sorry. A decent respirator is like $25.

[–] Anticorp@lemmy.world 1 points 7 months ago

And $25 is like your discretionary income for half a week.

[–] ThatKomputerKat@lemmy.world 18 points 7 months ago (1 children)

When my parents needed their countertop cut to accommodate a new deeper range, the guy who came in to do it did not wear a mask and I thought it was nuts.

I tried to offer him an unused 3m vented n95 mask from the pack I keep in my garage shop but he declined to use it.

I swear, I have met so many stupid construction contractors like this. They just do not get it.

[–] Jumi@lemmy.world 6 points 7 months ago

He works like a man, he dies like a man

[–] ramenshaman@lemmy.world 15 points 7 months ago (1 children)

Perhaps we should choose different materials for kitchen worktops

[–] PlantDadManGuy@lemmy.world 12 points 7 months ago

Or stonecutters should wear a respirator.

[–] Bampot@lemmy.world 3 points 7 months ago

Why is RPE the last resort or last line of protection?

RPE can only protect the wearer. Control measures at source (at the point where hazardous substances are released into workplace air), such as local exhaust ventilation or enclosures, protect all those working in the area.

So, only use or provide RPE as a last line of choice for respiratory protection. Consider other control measures before deciding upon RPE.

https://www.hse.gov.uk/respiratory-protective-equipment/faq.htm#before-providing-rpe-employees

[–] Grass@sh.itjust.works 1 points 7 months ago

man I wear a respirator just to go outside for a bike ride. maintaining smooth face for a proper seal is a pain in the ass but there are ways to die with less suffering.