The NSW government has welcomed the ban on the importation of engineered stone products from today, 1 January 2025, to protect the future health and safety of workers.
The national import ban covers engineered stone benchtops, slabs and panels with silica content of more than one percent.
This follows the world-first domestic ban on the use, supply and manufacture of engineered stone products in Australia that started on 1 July last year, prohibiting the manufacture, supply, processing and installation of engineered stone benchtops, panels and slabs containing at least 1 per cent silica.
The Minns government says it led the campaign for the national ban, saying it was prepared to act unilaterally, ahead of an agreement being reached across the Commonwealth. A team of dedicated silica safety inspectors will be employed to ensure businesses are complying with the strengthened laws.
Since September, the NSW Silica Compliance Team has conducted 140 inspections, handing out three fines totalling almost $10,000 for non-compliance. More than 125 improvement notices have been issued and seven prohibition notices in workplaces.
Killer silicosis
These moves aim to safeguard workers from silicosis, a lung disease caused by respirable crystalline silica, which tragically has led to several deaths. Silicosis is caused by items with a high silica content, such as engineered stone. The stone has been linked to the incurable illness since 2015. Engineered stone is a common item used in kitchen benchtops.
Uncontrolled cutting, drilling, polishing and grinding of Crystaline Silica Substance (CSS) materials such as granite, tiles, bricks and sandstone can also lead to serious illnesses such as silicosis, lung disease, lung cancer, and kidney disease.
The NSW government has pledged $5 million in critical funding for silicosis research and a patient support program for individuals and their families navigating the health risks associated with exposure to silica dust. The grant funding, administered collaboratively by icare and the Dust Diseases Board, will be provided over three years to the Asbestos and Dust Diseases Research Institute (ADDRI).
In addition, the icare Lung clinic provides specialised lung health assessments to current and retired workers who are at risk of developing a workplace dust disease, such as mesothelioma, asbestosis or silicosis.
In 2025, the Lung Bus will travel right around the state, including stops in Coffs Harbour, Port Macquarie, Gosford, Dubbo, Bathurst, Broken Hill, Griffith, Wagga Wagga, Tamworth and Newcastle.
More information on the full list of Lung Bus destinations can be found here.
More information on crystalline silica and the new safety requirements can be found here.
Committed to stopping silicosis in workers
Minister for Work Health and Safety Sophie Cotsis said, ‘The NSW government is committed to reducing the unacceptably high rates of silicosis being developed by workers and we welcome the ban on the importation of engineered stone benchtops, slabs and panels from 1 January 2025, to protect the future health and safety of workers.
‘It is illegal to use, supply and manufacture these products within Australia, so this importation ban is an all-important next step,’ she said.
‘We don’t need these dangerous products entering the country, and I congratulate the Commonwealth for implementing the ban.
‘The engineered stone importation ban will go a long way in bringing silicosis numbers down and create safer workplaces.’
SafeWork NSW Deputy Secretary Trent Curtin said, ‘No one deserves to have their health compromised due to their working environment. In NSW, as the SafeWork NSW campaign goes, It’s the Safe Way or No Way.’
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