Tasmania has officially implemented a ban engineered stone benchtops to protect workers from exposure to deadly silica dust.
The ban, which came into effect on July 1, prohibits the manufacture, supply and processing of engineered stone, a material commonly used in kitchens and bathrooms.
Minister for Consumer Affairs Madeleine Ogilvie said the decision was made after it was found a high number of workers were becoming sick from engineered stone.
“Workplace health and safety is of critical importance to all Tasmanians,” she said.
“It was unacceptable that as many as one in four workers were developing silicosis from exposure to engineered stone and we have listened to the evidence and acted.”
A six-month transition period has been provided for businesses to move away from engineered stone.
“We have proceeded in a prudent way by engaging in consultation with key industry stakeholders, after coordinating this nationally with Work Health and Safety Ministers in other jurisdictions,” Ogilvie said.
“Tasmania has worked hard to ensure this ban could be implemented on July 1 and I would like to congratulate our teams who have worked so hard to achieve this date.”
The ban does not include engineered stone that contains less than 1% crystalline silica, concrete and cement products, bricks, pavers and other similar blocks, ceramic wall and floor tiles, grout, mortar and render, plasterboard, porcelain products, sintered stone and roof tiles.
The Construction, Forestry and Maritime Employees Union (CFMEU) said winning their “hard-fought campaign” to eliminate the “killer stone” from Australia will save the lives of hundreds of thousands of workers.
“We will not allow engineered stone on our sites from 1 July 2024. There are a multitude of alternatives to engineered stone that will not give workers an early death sentence,” the union said.
