Australia to ban engineered stone next year

```html

Australia will become the first country in the world to ban engineered stone products, protecting workers from exposure to respirable crystalline silica dust.

The ban takes effect on 1 July 2024, following a meeting of workplace safety ministers on Wednesday, where members agreed to support a national prohibition.

Why Australia Is Banning Engineered Stone

A report published by federal safety agency Safe Work Australia in October recommended a total ban on use of all engineered stone products across Australia.

Exposure to silica dust from engineered stone can lead to silicosis, a fatal lung disease with no known cure. This decision reflects growing concern for worker health and long-term safety outcomes across the trades and manufacturing sectors.

The Human Cost Behind the Decision

Hundreds of workers have been diagnosed with silicosis in Australia since the first case surfaced in 2015, prompting urgent calls for stronger workplace protections.

Safety professionals across construction and manufacturing industries have watched this issue escalate, recognising that many affected tradespeople developed irreversible lung damage after prolonged exposure during cutting and fabrication of engineered stone products.

What This Means for the Industry

Businesses that manufacture, supply or install engineered stone products will need to adjust operations well before the deadline. Employers should begin reviewing current practices now, particularly around silica dust control and health monitoring obligations.

For further guidance on managing these obligations, read our related coverage on how Safe Work Australia welcomes the engineered stone ban, plus state-level updates including South Australia's move to ban uncontrolled cutting of engineered stone and how WA backs the ban on engineered stone.

Supporting Documentation for Safety Compliance

Businesses still working with stone materials ahead of the transition should ensure documentation aligns with current safety standards. Our Stone Fabricating SWMS outlines safe handling procedures, while archived resources such as the Stone Cladding SWMS and Stone Cutting - Rock Saw - Quarry document provide historical context on managing risks associated with these products.

For more information, visit the ABC News website.

```