The Metropolitan Police is now looking into the death of a stonemason who passed away from silicosis in 2024, with authorities investigating whether his death could be considered negligent homicide.
Stonemason Marek Marzec passed away in November of 2024, just months after being diagnosed with the respiratory condition silicosis. He worked for various companies cutting stone products in and around London from 2012, and reportedly began to show symptoms after several years spent working in unsafe conditions, and without adequate protection.
Silicosis is an incurable disease which has been linked to those working with engineered or artificial stone products, which are commonly used in KBB projects as a worktop material. Workers can be exposed to harmful dust when the products are cut into if proper safety regulations are not followed.
At the time of his death, Marzec had just begun taking legal action against several of his former employers, being represented by legal firm Leigh Day. His legal team explained he was eager to warn others against the dangers of being made to work with engineered stone in hazardous conditions.
Last week, on 16 February, inquest proceedings into his death resumed at Poplar Coroner’s Court, where a pre-inquest review hearing held.
At the hearing, Metropolitan Police detective sergeant Steve Jeffrey confirmed that the police force now has primacy over the Health and Safety Executive, meaning the police have the power to take the lead on any investigation if there is a suspicion that death may have been caused by negligent homicide.
If this does happen, Marzec’s case could potentially become the first of its kind where a criminal conviction is brought against an employer as a result of their workers contracting silicosis.
According to newspaper The i, senior coroner Mary Hassell confirmed she had received a statement prepared by Marzec before his death, as well as statements from two former employees of a company where he had worked, his GP and his respiratory physician. Hassell had also received a postmortem report, listing Marzec’s cause of death as respiratory failure from pulmonary silicosis and malnutrition. Detective sergeant Jeffrey said the Metropolitan Police now intend to interview two other witnesses from Marzec’s previous employers, as well as a respiratory physician expert, which could take 10 to 12 weeks.
Since the hearing, kbbreview has reached out to Metropolitan Police, which said: “Officers are continuing enquiries alongside the Health and Safety Executive, following the death of Marek Marzec. We cannot provide any further detail while the investigation is ongoing.”
A further inquest review hearing has been set for 22 July.
