Crystalline Silica and Silicosis
On 13 December 2023, Work Health and Safety (WHS) ministers representing the Commonwealth, states and territories unanimously agreed to a recommendation by Safe Work Australia to prohibit the use of engineered stone to protect thousands of workers from respirable crystalline silica (silica dust). The prohibition will ban a person conducting a business or undertaking from carrying out work, or directing or allowing a worker to carry out work, on or with engineered stone. This includes manufacturing, supplying, processing and installing engineered stone.