Further decisions made on engineered stone ban

• National Work Health and Safety Ministers met today to decide on further details of the ban on engineered stone
• The use, supply and manufacture of engineered stone slabs, panels and benchtops will be banned in Western Australia from July 1, 2024, but a transition period will last until 31 December 2024
• Pre-existing contracts for engineered stone will be honoured during the transition period

Work Health and Safety Ministers met today and most jurisdictions, including Western Australia, decided a transition period of six months will be implemented after the 1 July ban on the supply, installation or processing of engineered stone slabs, panels and benchtops in WA.

Under the transition period, work of this nature carried out between 1 July 2024 and 31 December 2024 will be exempt from the prohibition, provided the work falls under a contract entered into on or before 31 December 2023.

Last year, the Cook Government announced WA would join the rest of the country in banning the use of engineered stone in workplaces because the dust generated during its production poses a severe health risk to workers.

An earlier Safe Work Australia report found there is no safe level of silica in engineered stone and concluded that the use of engineered stone should be prohibited across Australia.

The Cook Government recognises there are businesses and consumers who have already entered into contracts to obtain engineered stone products, and in WA, these contracts will be honoured during the transitional period ending on 31 December 2024.

Engineered stone benchtops and other products already installed in homes do not pose a health hazard, as the finished product does not release dust. However, those working with already installed engineered stone, for example to remove it, will need to notify WorkSafe.

Additionally, further regulations will be implemented for high-risk silica work in other sectors, commencing in September 2024. This will include the requirement to document a silica risk control plan for high-risk crystalline silica processes, provide silica specific training, conduct air and health monitoring, and report exceedances of the workplace exposure standard for silica to WorkSafe. These regulations will apply to general industries in WA as the Work Health and Safety (Mines) regulations already contain equivalent provisions.

Further Work Health and Safety Regulations will be put into place to cover the changes, and WorkSafe will provide information on the new laws.

An announcement has not been made in relation to any import prohibition for engineered stone. This is a matter for the Commonwealth Government.

The Federal Government's communique from today's meeting can be viewed at:
https://www.dewr.gov.au/work-health-and-safety-meeting-ministers-22-march-2024-online-version

Comments attributed to Industrial Relations Minister Simone McGurk:

"The Cook Government recognises the need for urgent action to protect workers.

"We know that silicosis can kill - and of the 48 silicosis cases identified in WA since 2018, 43 relate to engineered stone.

"The six-month transition will help reduce the impact on industry, however, given mounting scientific evidence there was no question we had to act, and act quickly."