The ACT Government supports a total ban on engineered stone, as a Safe Work Australia report published last week recommends.
The Decision Regulation Impact Statement: Prohibition on the use of engineered stone has recommended the use of engineered stone be nationally prohibited, and has provided options to manage previously installed stone.
Safe Work Australia states: “Engineered stone poses an unacceptable risk to workers, which is why a prohibition on the use of engineered stone is recommended.
“Expert analysis shows that dust from engineered stone poses unique hazards, and there is no evidence that lower silica engineered stone (e.g. 40 per cent or 10 per cent) is safer to work with.
“There has also been ongoing non-compliance with WHS laws by persons conducting a business or undertaking (PCBUs) and workers in the engineered stone industry, despite significant education and awareness-raising activities.”
Mick Gentleman, ACT Minister for Industrial Relations and Workplace Safety, said the ACT will support a national prohibition at the next meeting of state and federal workplace Ministers scheduled for December.
“The risk of silicosis posed by engineered stone use is much higher,” Mr Gentleman said.
“In July of last year, our Government took action to place prohibitions on the dry and uncontrolled cutting of engineered stone and crystalline silica material. I have also introduced more effective control measures, and mandatory silica awareness training for at risk occupations.
“There is no scientific evidence of a safe level of exposure to silica dust generated from cutting engineered stone, even lower silica content slabs. Engineered stone workers are markedly over-represented among workers diagnosed with silicosis.
“Engineered stone workers who contract silicosis typically experience faster onset and a more rapid progression of the disease, than other workers, including those working with natural stone. It is vital that we take action to keep workers safe.
“We shouldn’t have workers contracting potentially fatal diseases, just by turning up to work.
“Ensuring the physical safety of every worker in the ACT is critical, and prohibitions on the importation and use of engineered stone is a necessary step toward making workplaces in Australia safer. “
The ACT Government will work with stakeholders and federal, state, and territory counterparts to implement the Safe Work Australia recommendations.
