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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 protects Australian workers from this deadly disease.
You can find more about silica dust and silicosis on the Safe Work Australia website.
For more information about the decision of WHS Ministers to ban the use of engineered stone, you can read the communiques that have been published from the 13 December 2023, 22 March 2024 and 10 May 2024 meetings.