A nationwide ban on the use and importation of engineered stone products will begin next year following unanimous agreement from state and federal workplace ministers to stop the production of the cancer-linked material. 

The decision follows a push from union groups, work safety advocates, and Safe Work Australia to help protect workers against the product, which has been found to cause severe dust-related illnesses, including silicosis. Insurers have also reported increasing concern about silicosis-related claims.

Last month, a Safe Work Australia report called for the ban after it found that a “disproportionate number” of workers in engineered stone-related industries were being diagnosed with more severe and rapid cases of silicosis.

The regulator says it will “act immediately” to progress the decision. 

“Workplace exposure to respirable crystalline silica has led to an unacceptable increase in the number of cases of silicosis and other silica-related diseases,” Safe Work Australia CEO Marie Boland said.

“Expert analysis shows that silica dust from engineered stone poses unique hazards and there is no evidence that low silica engineered stone is safe to work with.

“This prohibition will make Australian workplaces safer and healthier.” 

Ms Boland recognised that the prohibition would have a “real and relevant” cost to the industry but says the consequences of continuing to use engineered stone “cannot outweigh the significant costs to workers, their families and the broader Australian community”.

Advocates for the ban have highlighted porcelain, granite and natural stone as safer replacements for products typically utilised by engineered stone, given their lower concentrations of silica.

“Continued work with engineered stone poses an unacceptable risk to workers, which is why we recommended a prohibition on the use of all engineered stone,” Ms Boland said.

“Now that a prohibition has been agreed by WHS ministers, Safe Work Australia will progress amendments to the model WHS Regulations and develop guidance to support PCBUs and workers understand and prepare for the change.”

State governments have informed businesses not to enter any contracts for engineered stone practices from the start of the new year, with the ban expected to be implemented by July 1 next year. The governments say they will hold a meeting in March to discuss if there would be a need for a transition period for any contracts that have already been signed. 

The Victorian Government says it will have an exception on the prohibition if the works involve removing, repairing, or modifying a product installed before July 1, 2024. 

The ban was heralded by major union groups, who called for the decision in February. CFMEU National Secretary Zach Smith, who helped lead its “Stop This Killer Stone” campaign, says the decision marked an “incredibly special day for Australian workers”.

“This announcement is a massive victory for people like Kyle Goodwin, the former stonemason who bravely fronted our union’s campaign after contracting incurable silicosis from simply from doing his job,” Mr Smith said. 

“Kyle selflessly dedicated a huge chunk of his remaining days to stopping other workers from being given the same unthinkable diagnosis.

“Like Bernie Banton and asbestos, Kyle Goodwin’s name deserves to be inextricably linked to the ban on engineered stone.”