13 December 2023
The Royal Australasian College of Physicians (RACP) welcomes the decision of Work Health and Safety Ministers to ban engineered stone across Australia. This is a huge step in protecting workers from silicosis and other deadly dust diseases.
The RACP is pleased some of the recommendations of the National Dust Disease Taskforce are being implemented and lives will be saved as a result. However, we must not see a ban as fixing the problem and must continue with implementing all the recommendations from the Taskforce report.
Dr Warren Harrex, Australasian Faculty of Occupational and Environmental Medicine (AFOEM) President and RACP spokesperson says “We are pleased that the government has heard our concerns and is implementing a ban on engineered stone.”
“The impact of this legislation will be lifesaving for future generations of workers.
“The ban however will not help the workers who have already contracted silicosis from working with engineered stone, many of whom are facing an early death.
“It is also important to remember that there are many other sources of silica dust in workplaces across Australia which need to be eliminated or safely controlled.
“We must ensure that we’re doing everything possible to support those who have already been exposed to harmful silica dust. For many, their disease is yet to be diagnosed and this is why health screening of exposed workers is so important.
“That’s why we’re also pleased the Government has listened to our advice to create a national registry so that we can better track, monitor and support those with exposure to silica dust.”
“Workers need to be able to go to work knowing they are not at risk of contracting a deadly dust disease from exposure to engineered stone.
“We are grateful for the work of physicians, other concerned groups and especially workers who have had the courage to call for the ban of engineered stone.
“We look forward to continuing our work with the government to identify and monitor cases of silicosis through the national registry to gain information on the scale of the disease across Australia.
“This is an important step forward towards preventing future cases of silicosis and ensuring fewer people are at risk of contracting a preventable disease.”