The federal government will ban the importation of engineered stone products from next year.

The move continues a crackdown on the products, which were outlawed in July following links to serious lung diseases caused by silica dust. 

In addition to the ban, workplaces using products that contain at least 1% crystalline silica will be required to comply with new work health and safety requirements.

Workplace Relations Minister Murray Watt says limiting workers’ exposure to the product will prevent more cases of incurable diseases such as silicosis. 

“No one deserves to have their health compromised due to their working environment,” he said.

“These illnesses have been devastating and debilitating for Australian workers and their families, and we cannot continue to allow it to happen.”

SafeWork NSW head Trent Curtin says the laws are “a significant move in the fight against silicosis and will ensure workers across the state are much safer at work.

“Evidence strongly suggests exposure to respirable crystalline silica when working with engineered stone can lead to silicosis and other serious lung diseases. 

“SafeWork inspectors will continue to take a zero-tolerance approach to workers’ lives being endangered through exposure to deadly crystalline silica dust.”