Processing minerals is machinery-intensive and generates respirable crystalline silica dust, making COSHH silica control a defining hazard. The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) regulates workplace safety in Great Britain and HSENI in Northern Ireland.
Beyond workplace safety, the rules diverge by whether you place construction or consumer products on the market and by how energy-intensive your process is — cement, lime and glass kilns bring an environmental permit and the UK Emissions Trading Scheme into play.
What you need to do
Identify the descriptions that fit your business — if more than one applies, follow every obligation that applies.
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Run a safe mineral products factory
Whatever you make, start with the universal spine. Follow "Set up and run a safe mineral products factory" for your health and safety, respirable-silica COSHH controls, work equipment, manual handling, fire safety, insurance, equality and data protection duties.
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You place products on the market
Cement, aggregates, concrete products, glass and ceramic building products are construction products; other goods must meet general product safety. These need the right product-safety regime and, where one applies, conformity marking (UKCA, or CE which is still accepted on the GB market) before sale. Follow "Place non-metallic mineral products on the market".
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You run an energy-intensive installation
If you operate a cement, lime, glass or ceramics kiln or furnace, you need an environmental permit and — for cement, lime and glass production — you fall within the UK Emissions Trading Scheme. Follow "Meet your environmental permit and emissions trading duties".
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Confirm you have covered everything
Finish with the non-metallic mineral products manufacturer compliance checklist to confirm your obligations are met before a production run.
Legal basis
Primary legislation and key regulations
Read it on legislation.gov.uk (opens in a new tab) legislation.gov.uk