Australian workers have been reminded that the landmark engineered stone ban has come into effect, aimed at protecting them from silicosis, a lung disease caused by exposure to respirable crystalline silica.
Under the ban, the manufacture, supply, processing and installation of engineered stone benchtops, panels and slabs is prohibited in every state and territory in Australia.
The ban does not apply to the controlled processing of previously installed engineered stone benchtops, panels or slabs for the purposes of removal, repair or minor modification, or the controlled processing of installed or uninstalled engineered stone benchtops, panels or slabs for the purposes of disposal.
The engineered stone ban recognises that working with engineered stone poses an unacceptable health risk to workers. It will help ensure that workers, their families and the broader Australian community don’t bear the harmful and significant costs of exposure to respirable crystalline silica generated when engineered stone is processed with power tools.
Respirable crystalline silica (RCS) particles can penetrate deep into the lungs, causing permanent damage and serious illness, such as silicosis and lung cancer, or death. RCS is also linked to the development of auto-immune disorders and chronic renal (kidney) disease.
RCS can be generated when cutting, grinding, trimming, removing or blasting silica containing products or from storing or disposing of dusty waste from these processes.
Engineered stone products can contain up to 97 per cent silica. The high amount of silica means that there is a very high risk of workers developing breathing problems and silicosis if they breathe in dust made from these products.
The vast majority of silicosis cases identified in recent years are in engineered stone workers. These workers get sick sooner, and experience faster disease progression and higher mortality than other workers exposed to respirable crystalline silica or silica dust.
- Mining, quarrying, tunnelling and extractive minerals
There are high risks of worker exposure to RCS during mining, tunnelling and mineral extraction.
- Construction, building and demolition
RCS can be generated on site from tasks such as concrete cutting, grinding and using power tools on stone.
Controlling risks to health and safety from exposure to RCS
As the duty holder, you will need to implement a combination of different control measures to eliminate or minimise the risks from RCS at your workplace. This includes when working with naturally occurring crystalline silica (for example in mining or tunnelling) or working with products containing crystalline silica.
Safe Work Australia has published a guide to Working with silica and silica containing products, and Engineered stone ban: Guidance for PCBUs