The historic ban on engineered stone in NSW and other Australian jurisdictions is in force from today.
This world-leading change prohibits the use, supply and manufacture of engineered stone, and fulfils a vital election commitment.
Silicosis, caused by breathing in small particles of silica dust, has devasting effects on the lungs and has become more prevalent in the engineered stone industry.
When engineered stone is processed, the dust generated has different physical and chemical properties that likely contribute to more rapid and severe disease.
For too long, the warning signs were ignored and stonemasons died because of this deadly threat.
From today all engineered stone products will be banned across Australia as agreed by a meeting of national Work Health and Safety Ministers in December 2023.
Ahead of that meeting, NSW declared it was prepared to act unilaterally, if a national agreement could not be reached.
The NSW Government will enforce this ban by putting more SafeWork NSW inspectors on the ground carrying out site visits and issuing penalties to any non-compliant operators.
A 2024-25 NSW Budget boost of $2.5 million will help ensure compliance with the July 1 ban on the use, supply, and manufacture of engineered stone. In addition to the ban, there will be stronger regulation of all other materials containing crystalline silica.
SafeWork recently completed a six-month Silica in Construction workplace visit program. During the state-wide visit program construction team inspectors conducted 176 visits to relevant businesses and issued 142 notices.
The additional investment in this Budget will also protect workers from the dangers of exposure to silica by delivering:
- Additional program staff to provide education tools and programs to support impacted industries.
- The development of new notification systems for businesses doing processing work on existing engineered stone in homes and workplaces
Last year, NSW passed tough new laws to double penalties on any employer illegally exposing their workers to silica dust.
Additionally, a Silica Worker Register to track at-risk workers is being established.
Acting Minister for Work Health and Safety Tara Moriarty said:
“Silicosis is preventable, and this ban will save lives.
“Tradespeople who work with these products should not be risking their lives to earn a living.
“It is a fundamental right of every worker to go to work and come home safely to their loved ones at the end of the day.
“The Minns Labor Government has made worker safety a key priority.
“Our Government led calls for a ban on manufactured stone alongside workers, unions, medical experts and leading businesses.
“I want to thank those who campaigned alongside us for this change to protect the lives of workers.”
