The WA government’s new work health and safety regulations banning the manufacture and supply of engineered stone slabs and panels are now in effect in Western Australia.
The ban, which commenced on July 1, 2024, aims to protect workers from contracting silicosis during the manufacture or installation of engineered stone, commonly used in kitchen and bathroom benchtops.
This decision follows a national agreement reached by Work Health Safety Ministers in December 2023 to prohibit engineered stone in workplaces across Australia from July 1, 2024.
The ban is a response to the significant health risks associated with fine crystalline silica dust produced during the cutting, drilling, grinding, shaping, sanding, and polishing of engineered stone.
To accommodate existing contracts, the state government has implemented a transitional period. Installations of engineered stone products will be permitted until December 31, 2024, but only for contracts signed before January 1, 2024.
This arrangement aims to minimise disruption to businesses and consumers with pre-existing agreements.
Industrial Relations Minister Simone McGurk emphasised the severity of the issue, stating: “We know that silicosis can kill — of 56 silicosis cases identified in WA since 2018, 50 relate to engineered stone.”
The government has clarified that engineered stone benchtops already installed in homes do not pose a safety hazard, as the finished product does not release dust.
The ban will not apply to products already in their finished state, such as sinks.
In addition to the engineered stone ban, the WA government will introduce stronger work health and safety regulations on September 1, 2024, to address risks associated with other silica-containing products.
These measures, based on harmonised national model regulations, will apply to a broad range of general industries working with silica-containing products, such as construction and manufacturing.
Minister McGurk added: “From 1 September, we will also introduce stronger regulations to ensure workers are not exposed to fine crystalline silica dust from other silica-containing products.”
It’s worth noting that the mining industry is not affected by the new silica legislation, as existing work health and safety laws for mine sites already address this issue.
