Back in March 2023 the Minister for Workplace Relations, Tony Burke urged state ministers to bring forward a decision on whether to ban the domestic use of engineered stone. With pressure being place on the minister from unions, health experts and Labor MP's, SafeWork Australia have brought forward the consultation process on banning engineered stone. 27/10/2023 - Safe Work Australia have just released its
Safe Work Aaustralia has just released its Decision Regulatory Impact Statement on the Prohibition of Engineered stone. While this will be considered later this year by the respect WHS Ministers. Silicosis has been linked to engineered stone since 2015 and there has been significant rise in the number of cases since that time. The problem with engineered stone has been complicated in terms of the failure of employers/ PCBU to ensure that workers are protected. In particular, there has been a demonstrated lack of safe work practices and failure to ensure that workers are wearing the appropriate PPE when working with engineered stone. The report highlights that those working with engineered stone not only faced a high risk of silicosis, noted that the disease progresses at a faster rate thus a higher chance of #death due to exposure. A decision will be made later this year regarding a potential ban of engineered stone.