CALL TO BAN ENGINEERED STONE

Australian workers dying from an increase in silicosis and related lung cancers. A 2021 National Dust Disease Task Force report found nearly one in four workers exposed to silica dust from engineered stone before 2018 have been diagnosed with silicosis, and existing workplace health and safety regulations were not protecting workers.

Despite government-wide recognition of the problem, there is no planned federal ban on deadly Silica products. 

If the federal government does not ban the production, importation and use of the material by July 2024, the CFMEU will ban its members from handling it.

“This product is killing workers and the reality is Australian workers will keep dying unless we ban engineered stone,”

Zach Smith, CFMEU National Secretary.