Deadline nears for submissions on planned engineered stone ban

Deadline Nears for Submissions on Planned Engineered Stone Ban

Time is running out for stakeholders wishing to weigh in on the proposed engineered stone ban, with Safe Work Australia urging interested parties to lodge feedback through its Engage website before submissions close.

Exposure to respirable crystalline silica dust causes silicosis, a serious and irreversible lung disease that continues to affect workers across construction and stone fabrication trades. This hazardous dust is released when engineered stone benchtops are cut, ground, or polished without adequate controls, making the material a significant health hazard for those handling it daily.

Who Should Make a Submission?

Safe Work Australia stated: "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."

This broad invitation reflects the wide-reaching impact the proposed ban could have across Australia's construction sector, where engineered stone products remain common in kitchen and bathroom fit-outs.

Key Submission Details

• Deadline: Sunday 2 April 2023, at 11.59pm AEST
• Submissions accepted via Safe Work Australia's Engage website
• Open to all stakeholders including employers, safety professionals, and government bodies

For construction and manufacturing businesses assessing their own risk exposure, reviewing current stone fabricating safe work method statements can help identify where silica-related hazards persist in daily operations. Businesses managing stone cladding installation may also benefit from consulting relevant stone cladding safety procedures as part of broader risk management planning.

Why This Consultation Matters

Australia has seen mounting pressure from health advocates and industry bodies calling for tighter controls on hazardous materials linked to occupational lung disease. Previous coverage has explored how Western Australia backed a ban on engineered stone, signalling growing national momentum behind stronger workplace health protections.

Robust management of chemical exposure risk remains essential regardless of the ban's outcome. Businesses handling hazardous materials should ensure their chemical handling and storage procedures align with current WHS obligations, while equipment used in stone processing should be maintained according to documented equipment maintenance procedures to reduce dust generation and associated hazards.

Given the health implications tied to prolonged silica exposure, employers should also consider fitness for work standards, particularly where respiratory health monitoring forms part of broader safety obligations. Reviewing fitness for work policies and procedures can support compliance efforts alongside the proposed regulatory changes.

For more information, visit the Safe Work Australia website. Readers can also review published submissions on the proposed engineered stone ban for further context on stakeholder responses received to date.