For years now the dangers of silica in engineered stone products has been becoming more concerning with doctors in 2018 sounding the alarm about the silicosis ‘epidemic’. Recently however many unions, workers and even Safe Work Australia are calling for a complete ban on engineered stone products.
Engineered stone became incredibly popular in kitchens throughout Australia in the early 2000’s it was cheaper than products such as marble or granite but still had the same appearance. When cut, engineered stone releases a fine silica dust, which when inhaled often leads to a disease known as silicosis. Silicosis is an irreversible and incurable lung condition that can cause premature death along with many other health complications.
A recent report from Safe Work Australia is calling for the ban on all engineered stone products. They were asked to look at possible solutions to the crisis, but concluded a complete ban was the only option, saying regulators had failed to protect workers from the deadly disease. "Continued work with engineered stone poses an unacceptable risk to workers," the report said. "The use of all engineered stone should be prohibited." The report found that engineered stone workers not only faced a greater risk of developing silicosis, but also saw a faster disease progression and higher chance of death when they did get it.
Many engineered stone manufacturers argue that further regulations would be more suitable that a total ban, saying that outlawing the material would lead to chaos within the construction industry. Manufacturers believe that transitioning to an engineered stone containing lower silica levels, along with more education and safety measures, would be sufficient to keep workers safe. However, Safe Work’s report concluded that even stone with lower silica content would still pose an unnecessary risk to workers, stating "There is no scientific evidence for a 'safe' threshold of crystalline silica content in engineered stone,".
The Public Health Association of Australia has also made a joint statement against the product’s use. The PHAA, which is made up of the Australian Council of Trade Unions and multiple health and safety groups, says the ban is necessary due to the unmeasurable health risks associated with the engineered stone. CEO of PHAA, Professor Terry Slevin, says the ban is “well overdue.” “In the interests of protecting industry profits, commercial entities opposing health regulation will condemn more workers who use their products to catastrophic respiratory health problems. Given what we know now, that is simply wrong,” continues Slevin.
The Australian Council of Trade Unions (ACTU) vowed to stop engineered stone entering worksites by July 2024, if governments did not outlaw it by then. Assistant Secretary Liam O'Brien has also stated there needs to also be a way to support workers who have already been diagnosed with the disease.
The situation draws stark comparisons to the asbestos crisis of the past, demanding immediate and comprehensive action to safeguard the health and lives of workers.
References:
Engineered stone ban needed to protect workers from silicosis, Safe Work Australia report says
“The asbestos of the 2020s”: Unions push for engineered stone ban