The use of engineered stone in Australia will be banned from July 1 next year.
Federal, state and territory ministers this afternoon agreed to ban the importation, manufacturing and use of the product, which is commonly used to make kitchen and bathroom benchtops.
The popular material can cause the lung disease silicosis through exposure to crystalline dust when cut.
Safe Work Australia said a national framework will be developed to ensure anyone working with engineered stone products installed prior to today is doing so safely.
The safety authority said workers and businesses who have existing contracts for engineered stone can continue to work with it “in a controlled way” up until July 1.
Chief executive Marie Boland said the prohibition will make Australian workplaces “safer and healthier”.
“The vast majority of silicosis cases identified in recent years are in engineered stone workers,” she said.
“Many of these cases are in younger workers who are experiencing faster disease progression and higher mortality.
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“The cost to industry, while real and relevant, cannot outweigh the significant costs to workers, their families and the broader Australian community that result from exposure to respirable crystalline silica from engineered stone.”
Queensland’s Industrial Relations Minister Grace Grace said the state was proud to lead the campaign in banning the deadly material.
“This is a dangerous product that’s known to cause the potentially fatal disease silicosis, and it has no place in our workplaces,” she said in a statement.
“All workers have a right to turn up to a safe and healthy workplace and I’m proud to be part of a government which has helped deliver this key measure to protect workers.”
Discussions have been ramping up in recent months over a blanket ban on the use of all engineered stone due to its links to the deadly lung disease.
Hardware giant Bunnings last month announced it would stop selling the material at the end of the year while Independent Hardware Group (IHG) – which includes retailers Mitre 10, Home Hardware, Total Tools – and IKEA announced they would also phase out engineered stone.
The Construction, Forestry, Maritime Employees Union (CFMEU), which stated it would implement its own ban on engineered stone on July 1, welcomed today’s decision.
“This is an incredibly special day for Australian workers, especially every CFMEU member who fought for this life-saving change,” CFMEU National Secretary Zach Smith said.
“The CFMEU is ready to help governments implement the July 1 ban on the import, manufacture and use of engineered stone.”
