‘Killer Dust’ one step closer to national ban

A ban on the manufacture, use and import of harmful engineered stone products is a step closer to reality after the ALP national platform was amended this afternoon, says the union representing building workers.

Engineered stone products used in Australian homes produce deadly respirable crystalline silica dust which can cause silicosis during manufacture and when it is cut to fit kitchens and bathrooms where it is currently widely used.

CFMEU Construction and General Division National Secretary, Zach Smith says the inclusion of a ban on engineered stone products is welcomed by all building workers.

“The deadly dust produced by engineered stone is taking the lives of young tradespeople in this country and it needs to be banned.

“No matter how good a kitchen might look, it is no substitute for the health of a tradesperson.

“Make no mistake, engineered stone is the next asbestos and we need to get it banned urgently in this country.

“I want to thank delegates to the ALP National Conference for voting to include this ban on harmful engineered stone products in the ALP national platform.

‘We know that one in four of the workers who use this stone will develop deadly silicosis or other deadly dust diseases.

“You don’t need engineered stone to build homes or offices, it’s not integral to the building process, it's a cosmetic product.

Kyle Goodwin, who was diagnosed with  silicosis at 33, says this a very important step towards ensuring the safety of the next generation of stone masons.

“The inclusion of this ban in the Labor Party’s national platform is a very important step towards ensuring the safety of the next generation of stone masons,” says Kyle.

“I cut engineered stone for nine years with no idea of the dangers of the silica dust I was surrounded by each and every day I went to work.

“We need to keep fighting to make sure this ban is rolled out immediately.”

THE AMENDMENT READS:

49. Labor will take all necessary steps to eradicate the hazard posed to workers by exposure to silica dust. Labor recognises that the elimination of silicosis requires the strong coordinated efforts of all governments to take all necessary measures, including a ban on the manufacture, use and import of harmful engineered stone products, as well as other preventative measures, including:

a. regulation outlining minimum safety benchmarks for application across all industries where workers are exposed to respirable crystalline silica dust (including mandatory silica awareness training for workers in those industries),

b. comprehensive health monitoring program during and after employment to assist in identifying the onset of any dust-related disease,

c. dust register for all diagnosed cases of occupational lung disease, and

d. support (financial and psychological) for workers (and their families) diagnosed with occupational lung disease and who are struggling to return to work and adjusting to life with the devastating impact of their lung disease. Labor will ensure that workers who suffer an illness or disease as result of exposure to silica will have the same access to justice and rights as workers exposed to asbestos.