Originally published by the Australian Institute of Health & Safety
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.
Workplace Health and Safety Queensland said that workers and businesses can continue to work with engineered stone in a controlled way up until the ban.
The regulator said Queensland’s approved codes of practice establish legally enforceable safety standards for working with materials containing crystalline silica, including engineered stone.
“All businesses are strongly encouraged not to enter any new contracts for the use of engineered stone that may not be fulfilled before the prohibition comes into effect on 1 July 2024,” the regulator said.
WorkSafe Victoria issued a similar reminder and said that employers must continue to comply with the state’s strict engineered stone requirements ahead of the ban.
“Hundreds of Victorian tradies have already been diagnosed with silicosis – a debilitating and potentially deadly disease that can devastate young workers and their families,” said WorkSafe Victoria executive director of health and safety, Narelle Beer.
“Banning the use of engineered stone will save lives – but we don’t want to see workers put at additional risk as employers rush to finish work and process engineered stone ahead of the national ban.”
A WorkSafe campaign raising awareness of the ban on engineered stone has begun, including advertising in regional and culturally diverse publications, multi-lingual social media messaging and communications to licence holders.
Beer said WorkSafe Victoria received 669 silicosis-related compensation claims following a positive diagnosis.
The Victorian Government is working on enacting the prohibition of engineered stone through amendments needed to Victoria’s occupational health and safety laws from 1 July.
The latest scientific evidence identified by Safe Work Australia is that respirable crystalline silica particles generated from processing engineered stone are smaller and more toxic. This results in more serious and rapidly progressive health risks for workers who process engineered stone.
The ban will cover the use of all engineered stone products that:
- contain 1 per cent or more crystalline silica;
- are created by combining natural stone materials with other chemical constituents (such as water, resins, or pigments);
- and undergo a process to become hardened.
Many other man-made products that contain crystalline silica will be exempt from the ban. These include concrete and cement products; bricks, pavers, and other similar blocks; ceramic and porcelain products; wall, floor and roof tiles; grout, mortar, and render; and plasterboard.
WHS Ministers agreed to introduce nationally consistent exemptions for additional products where evidence proves the products can be used safely.
Previously installed engineered stone will not need to be removed. Repairs, minor modifications, removal, and disposal of previously installed engineered stone products will not be banned. However, effective dust controls will be required for any work with installed engineered stone.
