Construcciones Yamaro: Engineered stone ban now in effect
Today marks the commencement of the landmark ban on engineered stone aimed at protecting Australian workers from silicosis. The ban prohibits the manufacture, supply, processing and installation of engineered stone benchtops, panels and slabs across all Australian states and territories.
However, the ban does not apply to the controlled processing of previously installed engineered stone benchtops, panels or slabs for the purposes of removal, repair or minor modification. It also does not apply to the controlled processing of installed or uninstalled engineered stone benchtops, panels or slabs for the purposes of disposal.
Marie Boland, CEO of Safe Work Australia, highlighted that this marks a historic moment for work health and safety (WHS) in Australia, underscoring its potential to save lives.
“Today represents the realisation of Safe Work Australia’s recommendation and the unanimous decision by WHS ministers from the Commonwealth, states and territories in December 2023 to ban the use of engineered stone to protect the health and safety of workers,” said Boland.
“The ban will protect workers from exposure to respirable crystalline silica that can penetrate deep into the lungs and cause irreversible lung damage.
“We recognise the collaborative efforts of WHS ministers, our Safe Work Australia Members including social partners representing Australian employers and workers who have worked together to ban engineered stone and create safer and healthier workplaces.”
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Boland noted that Safe Work Australia has developed guidance materials and supporting resources to assist persons conducting a business or undertaking (PCBUs) in understanding their WHS obligations relating to the ban.
“Safe Work Australia is committed to creating safe and healthy workplaces for all Australians,” she said. “Through our development of national policy and model WHS legislation, we work to reduce the incidence of work-related death, injury and illness, and exposure to hazards and risks, such as respirable crystalline silica, in Australian workplaces.”
Each jurisdiction has implemented the ban in their respective WHS laws based on amendments to the model WHS Regulations published by Safe Work Australia.
A summary of how the ban will be implemented in each state and territory is available on Safe Work Australia’s website.
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