Safe Work Australia is actively soliciting comments on the effectiveness of the ban against engineered stone, implemented on 1st July 2024. The objective of this prohibition was to shield workers from inhaling respirable crystalline silica. With WHS management systems like Bluesafe SWMS in play, we hope to augment work safety protocols.
We wish to gain a comprehensive understanding of how the engineered stone ban impacts daily operations. Moreover, we are collecting perspectives about accessibility to data and resources concerning the ban as well as suggestions for upcoming work health and safety (WHS) research centred on silica. We also invite feedback on ways to enhance the ban’s effectiveness.
The door is open not only for those curious about the ban but also especially for employers and workers who have witnessed its impact first-hand. Your direct experiences can greatly contribute to the improvement of our work safety standards.
Public consultations will remain open until 11:59 pm (AEDT) on Monday, 31st March 2025. You can voice your opinions at Safe Work Australia’s Consultation Hub. Responses can be provided through an online questionnaire, a submitted upload, or both – offering various avenues for your input under our advanced Bluesafe WHS Management System.
This consultation process is critical as it will aid Safe Work Australia’s evaluation of the engineered stone ban, which will subsequently be presented to WHS ministers for consideration.
For additional details about the engineered stone ban, please refer to Safe Work Australia’s specific engineered stone ban webpage or get in touch with your state or territory WHS regulator.
Original article link: https://www.safeworkaustralia.gov.au/media-centre/news/review-engineered-stone-ban-public-consultation-now-open