The Federal Government has commissioned Safe Work Australia to report on a possible engineered stone ban.
High silica-based stone products cause silicosis – an incurable lung disease common in tradies who are regularly exposed to it.
Employment and Workplace Relations Minister Tony Burke said the decision was made six months earlier than planned. This allowed Safe Work to get started on its report immediately.
“What we’ve asked Safe Work Australia to do is scope out if there were to be a prohibition, where that line would be drawn, and then to also scope out how you can have a nationally consistent licensing system for whatever remains as being viewed as safe to be on the market, but certainly making sure that it would have serious work health and safety issues,” he said.
Total ban 2024
The CFMEU commended the move, but also continued its push to have its own total ban by July next year.
“The CFMEU’s position is unmoved. If governments don’t carry through on banning engineered stone, the Union will,” incoming CFMEU National Secretary Zach Smith said.
“July 2024 remains our deadline. All credit for today’s progress must go to silicosis sufferes including Kyle Goodwin, the brave former stonemason who has fronted the CFMEU’s Stop the Killer Stone campaign.
Mr Butler said unions and organisations can make whatever decisions they want within the law.
“It will also be the case that some suppliers will start to look now at how they can get lower levels of silica in their benchtops or how they can look for other alternatives in people’s kitchens and bathrooms,” he said.
“So a whole lot of adjustments will happen straight away.”
A decision from Safe Work is expected later this year. A total ban would then be implemented 12 months later should that conclusion be reached.
You can find more information on silica-based products and safety at safeworkaustralia.gov.au.