Engineered Stone

The Hon. T.T. NGO (14:54): I have a question for the Minister for Industrial Relations and Public Sector. Can the minister tell the council about SafeWork SA's campaign in relation to the upcoming ban on engineered stone?

The Hon. K.J. MAHER (Minister for Aboriginal Affairs, Attorney-General, Minister for Industrial Relations and Public Sector) (14:54): I thank the honourable member for his question and his ongoing interest in this area. I have previously spoken in this chamber about South Australia moving rapidly towards a ban on the manufacture and use of dangerous engineered stone benches, panels and slabs. I have previously informed the chamber that that comes into effect from 1 July this year.

Engineered stone contains respirable crystalline silica dust and, when processed through cutting and grinding, small particles of that dust can be inhaled into the lungs and can cause permanent disability and death. The lung disease these particles cause has no cure, just like breathing in asbestos.

An expert report from Safe Work Australia last year was developed following extensive stakeholder consultation, independent economic analysis and an expert review of scientific evidence. The report found that engineered stone workers are dramatically over-represented amongst workers diagnosed with silicosis. In December of last year, South Australia was proud to join every other jurisdiction across Australia in supporting a ban on the use of engineered stone slabs from 1 July 2024.

In the months since that announcement, there has been a significant education campaign to alert the community and the industry about the ban and the dangers of the engineered stone products. That communication has been led by the national health and safety regulator, Safe Work Australia, but has also involved a significant amount of work at the state level by SafeWork SA. That includes providing information about the ban to businesses and health and safety professionals, as well as participating in public forums with industry stakeholders that may be affected by the ban.

SafeWork SA has worked closely with other officials, such as the office for business, to provide information to businesses that may be affected, including, importantly, about alternative products that are already on the market and further ones that are emerging that can be used in lieu of engineered stone.

In the final run-up to the implementation of the ban on 1 July, SafeWork is now running a significant public campaign, including advertising, fact sheets, social media and educational webinars. SafeWork has published fresh guidance material, particularly for businesses, explaining the ban, including the transitional arrangements which will allow for pre-existing contracts entered into before 1 January this year to be fulfilled by no later than the end of this year. It also explains that those processes are still subject to strict requirements about the use of dust extraction systems, water suppression and personal protective equipment.

SafeWork has also published updated national guidance material for working with crystalline silica products which are not covered by the engineered stone ban but can still pose a risk to the health and safety of workers. Those products include natural stone like marble or granite, bricks, pavers, tiles, concrete and asphalt.

This education piece is an important part of keeping the community safe from the dangers of engineered stone products, and SafeWork will continue to provide education and advice on these issues once the ban has come into effect on 1 July.