Engineered stone banned and national labour hire scheme endorsed

• The Cook Government will ban engineered stone in WA workplaces from July 1, 2024, supporting a national approach to this issue
• The dust generated by engineered stone poses a severe health risk to workers
• A meeting of national Work Health and Safety Ministers today decided there will be a national ban on engineered stone
• Ministers have also endorsed a nationally harmonised labour hire scheme

The Cook Government announced today it will join the rest of the country in banning the use of engineered stone in workplaces due to the risk to workers of silicosis. The ban will take effect from July 1, 2024 in Western Australia.

Safe Work Australia recently reported that it could not identify a safe level of silica in engineered stone, concluding that the use of all engineered stone should be banned across Australia.

Western Australia has recorded 48 cases of silicosis since 2018, and 43 of these involve workers employed in the engineered stone industry. This information is based on reports to WorkSafe, as there is no mandatory reporting of silicosis cases at present.

The Cook Government considers this information as indicative of the risks of working with engineered stone and has therefore made the decision that WA will join other jurisdictions in banning the use of engineered stone.

Workplace Relations Ministers have also endorsed a nationally harmonised labour hire scheme, with the model developed by the Labour Hire Harmonisation Working Group consisting of representatives from all States and Territories.

The scheme will ensure a nationally consistent labour hire system with recognition of licences across all jurisdictions.

Ministers agreed in principle for Victoria to be the host jurisdiction for the scheme, and it will be responsible for passing model laws that will be implemented in the States and Territories through mirror or applied legislation.

States and Territories will form a working group to develop an Intergovernmental Agreement for the scheme, and Victoria will form a project office to manage the establishment of the National Labour Hire Regulator and the model laws.

The Federal Government's communique from today's meeting can be viewed here.

Comments attributed to Industrial Relations Minister Simone McGurk:

"The rate of silicosis illness in Australia for those working with engineered stone is unacceptable. This prohibition will ensure future generations of workers are protected from silicosis associated with working with engineered stone.

"We would like to make it clear to the community that engineered stone benchtops already installed in homes do not pose a hazard, as the finished product does not release dust.

"We recognise there will be businesses and consumers who have already entered into contracts to obtain engineered stone products, and transitional arrangements will be implemented for those with an existing contract.

"The State Government is strongly committed to comprehensive national labour hire regulation. This initiative will ensure a level playing field for business and address worker exploitation."