Engineered stone ban receives backing from Tasmania

Engineered Stone Ban Receives Backing from Tasmania

Tasmania's Government has thrown its support behind a national engineered stone ban across Australia, joining other jurisdictions in tackling silica-related workplace illness at its source.

Workplace health and safety ministers agreed to back a prohibition on engineered stone during a recent meeting, marking a significant step toward eliminating a well-documented occupational hazard for tradespeople nationwide.

Why Tasmania Supports the Prohibition

Minister for Workplace Safety and Consumer Affairs, Madeleine Ogilvie, said the stone ban demonstrates government commitment to protecting workers' safety across every sector where engineered stone products are handled.

"The safety of workers is paramount. This prohibition will protect workers from future exposures to the dangerous dust that is produced through work with engineered stone," Minister Ogilvie said.

"We are committed to working with key stakeholders to implement the prohibition by 1 July 2024 if possible, or as soon as practical," she added.

What This Means for Health and Safety Standards

Below is a summary of key points from Tasmania's position on the ban:

• Ministers support a nationwide prohibition on engineered stone products.
• Government aims for implementation by 1 July 2024, or as soon as practical.
• Priority centres on protecting workers from health risks tied to dust exposure.
• Tasmania joins a broader push across Australia toward stronger workplace safety measures.

Businesses currently relying on stone fabricating safe work method statements should begin reviewing their processes now, given the pending prohibition and its effect on daily operations.

Similarly, operators managing cladding installations may need to revisit their stone cladding SWMS documentation to ensure compliance ahead of the deadline.

A Coordinated National Response

Tasmania's backing follows similar commitments from other states. Queensland has already flagged plans to ban engineered stone work from 1 July, while retailers in that state have also thrown support behind the cause through the engineered stone campaign backed by major retailers in Queensland.

Tasmania has since moved beyond mere backing — read how the state officially enacted its ban on engineered stone following this initial announcement.

For businesses adapting to remote work arrangements during this transition period, a working from home management plan can help maintain safety standards beyond the worksite.

Looking Ahead

Health outcomes for tradespeople remain the central motivation behind this coordinated approach. Workers exposed to dust from cutting, grinding, or polishing engineered stone face serious long-term health consequences, and this ban aims to remove that risk entirely rather than manage it.

Read more here.