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Australia has banned the use, supply and manufacture of engineered stone. The ban will start on 1 July 2024 and will apply to engineered stone benchtops, slabs and panels.
The Australian Government writes:
Australia has banned the use, supply and manufacture of engineered stone. The ban will start on 1 July 2024 and will apply to engineered stone benchtops, slabs and panels. Check the arrangements for your state or territory by contacting the work health and safety regulator in your area. The ban will not apply to porcelain and sintered stone products (including benchtops, slabs and panels). The ban also does not include finished engineered stone products that do not need to be processed or modified such as jewellery, garden ornaments, sculptures, and kitchen sinks.
Why is the ban happening?
Commonwealth, state and territory work health and safety ministers made the decision to ban the use of engineered stone in response to the rise of silicosis diagnoses in engineered stone workers. This decision was based on a recommendation made by Safe Work Australia in their ‘Decision Regulation Impact Statement: Prohibition on the use of engineered stone’. Clear evidence shows that exposure to silica dust (respirable crystalline silica) can lead to workers developing silicosis and other serious lung diseases. Workers are at risk of exposure when working with engineered stone. Banning the use of engineered stone will protect Australian workers from this deadly disease.
