The CFMEU is imploring the Federal Government ban high-silica engineered stone products.
This comes after Federal Health Minister Mark Butler opted to monitor Australia’s current silica mitigation strategy.
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“With respect to Mark Butler, we don’t need further monitoring, we need decisive action now,” CFMEU National Secretary Zach Smith said.
“We know silica dust causes deadly silicosis. We know that every month we allow workers to be exposed to the dust created by engineered stone products we are sentencing some of them to death.
“And we know we could easily start phasing these deadly engineered stone products out of circulation with the stroke of pen.
Silicosis is an incurable lung disease and is more common in people who regularly cut engineered stone products.
“The government has no reason to delay,” Smith said.
“You have a long list of public health organisations calling for a ban, you have unions calling for a ban, you have silicosis sufferers calling for a ban. And now you even have key manufactures calling for a ban. It’s time to act now.”
Smith noted that the Prime Minister and Workplace Relations Minister among other officials had indicated they are open to fast-tracking a ban in light of the shocking damage engineered stone products cause.