With the landmark ban on engineered stone coming into effect, Safe Work Australia has issued a warning about the harmful and significant costs of exposure to respirable crystalline silica generated when engineered stone is processed with power tools. Under the ban, which came into effect on 1 July 2024, the manufacture, supply, processing and installation of engineered stone benchtops, panels and slabs is prohibited in every state and territory in Australia.
Any attempts by companies to rebrand engineered stone as another product to intentionally avoid the upcoming ban on engineered stone was recently condemned by federal, state and territory WHS ministers. WHS regulators should also take strong compliance and enforcement action about the ban, including addressing instances of rebranding engineered stone as a different product, according to the ministers.
WHS regulators have recently issued reminders to employers that strict controls to protect workers from crystalline silica dust will be enforced in the lead-up to the nationwide engineered stone ban from 1 July 2024. The ban will affect builders, renovators, fabricators, and those working in the construction industry, who will no longer be permitted to carry out work involving manufacturing, supplying, processing or installing engineered stone.
Commonwealth, state and territory governments have unanimously agreed to prohibit the use, supply and manufacture of all engineered stone with the majority of jurisdictions to commence the prohibition from 1 July 2024.
Today the Australian Institute of Health & Safety (AIHS) celebrates Australia becoming the first country to announce a ban on engineered stone following a surge in workers developing the lung disease silicosis.
Blanket ban of engineered stone recommended by Safe Work Australia The use of all engineered stone, irrespective of crystalline silica content, should be banned in order to protect the health and safety of workers, according to Safe Work Australia.
Safety alert issued after young worker injured by racking system Workplace Health and Safety Queensland recently issued a safety alert following an incident in which a young worker was seriously injured when welded mesh sheets fell onto him.
NSW government to introduce industrial manslaughter law The NSW Government recently announced that it will introduce industrial manslaughter laws across the state – making it the last mainland jurisdiction to bring an industrial manslaughter offence or legislation to parliament.
Andriy Kotykhov: championing WHS in process and practice Andriy Kotykhov recently won the Australian WHS Champion (CEO) of the Year (less than 1000 employees) for taking a strong and effective approach to leadership of WHS across the business
