Safe Work Australia is reminding all stakeholders that consultation on a prohibition on the use of engineered stone will close soon.
Working with engineered stone can expose workers to the risks of respirable crystalline silica, which can cause silicosis and other silica-related diseases.
The consultation seeks feedback on three proposed options:
- prohibition on the use of all engineered stone described in Option 6 of the Decision Regulation Impact Statement: Managing the risks of respirable crystalline silica at work
- prohibition on the use of engineered stone containing 40% or more crystalline silica
- prohibition on the use of engineered stone containing 40% or more crystalline silica and licensing of PCBUs working with engineered stone containing less than 40 % crystalline silica.
Workers, persons conducting a business or undertaking (PCBUs), work health and safety (WHS) professionals, government agencies, industry and peak bodies, employer and worker representatives and any other interested parties are encouraged to make a submission.
Consultation is open through Safe Work Australia's Engage website until 11.59 PM AEST on Sunday 2 April 2023.
About the consultation
On 28 February 2023, WHS ministers agreed to Safe Work Australia's recommended actions to address workplace exposure to respirable crystalline silica. This , included further analysis and consultation on the impacts of a prohibition on the use of engineered stone.
Safe Work Australia opened public consultation on 2 March 2023. Feedback received through the consultation will inform a report to be provided to WHS ministers for their consideration.
Go to the Prohibition on the use of engineered stone consultation on Engage.
