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Unionists outside Parliament House in Sydney on Thursday demand a ban on engineered stone.<\/span>Credit: <\/span>Rhett Wyman<\/cite><\/p>\n Minns said he had not read the Safe Work Australia report commissioned by state and federal workplace ministers in February but had been briefed on its key recommendation, indicating his government would be prepared to lead the way on a ban if a national meeting of workplace ministers in Canberra on Friday was unable to reach consensus.<\/p>\n \u201cMajor changes are coming,\u201d Minns said on Thursday. \u201cI want to see the national report, and then we\u2019ll have more to say if we can\u2019t get a national agreement.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s always better to do it via a national agreement primarily because that engineered stone is generally imported into the country, and if there\u2019s difference between the jurisdictions, particularly on the borders, that could be a problem,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n In the lead-up to the ministerial meeting, hundreds of Construction, Forestry, Maritime, Mining and Energy Union members rallied outside NSW Parliament on Thursday to warn that a failure to bring in a complete ban would leave blood on politicians\u2019 hands.<\/p>\n NSW Premier Chris Minns has indicated the state could go it alone on a ban.<\/span>Credit: <\/span>Dominic Lorrimer<\/cite><\/p>\n Ministers have had the report since August but have refused to discuss its contents ahead of Friday\u2019s meeting, when they will vote on releasing it.<\/p>\n South Australian Industrial Relations Minister Kyam Maher said that \u201cif decisive national action is not taken on the issue of engineered stone by the end of the year, we reserve our right to pursue a ban at a state level if it is supported by the evidence\u201d.<\/p>\n Federal Workplace Relations Minister Tony Burke\u2019s office declined to comment before the meeting. Comment has been sought from other states.<\/p>\n Dubbed \u201cthe new asbestos\u201d by Burke, engineered stone can contain up to 95 per cent crystalline silica and is responsible for a surge in irreversible lung disease in stonemasons and other tradespeople.<\/p>\n Workplace exposure to silica dust can lead to debilitating, irreversible lung conditions.<\/span>Credit: <\/span>Steven Siewert<\/cite><\/p>\n An investigation by this masthead and <\/i>60 Minutes<\/em> earlier this year revealed a growing number of workers were battling the debilitating symptoms of the lung disease silicosis while state-based regulators failed to effectively police workplaces to guard against the dangers associated with inhaling crystalline silica dust.<\/p>\n The Safe Work report says \u201cit is tolerably clear\u201d that, historically, there has been insufficient compliance in the industry for the level of risk involved.<\/p>\n The report\u2019s authors have rejected the claim that any form of engineered stone could be safe to handle, finding that manufacturers have not scientifically established that \u201cthese products are without risks to the health and safety of workers and others in the workplace.<\/p>\n \u201cThere is no toxicological evidence of a \u2018safe\u2019 threshold of crystalline silica content, or that the other components of lower-silica engineered stone products (e.g. amorphous silica including recycled glass, feldspar) do not pose additional risks to worker health.\u201d<\/p>\n The Safe Work report presents several options, including banning engineered stone containing more than 40 per cent crystalline silica, and licensing businesses to ensure safe handling of products with less than 40 per cent silica. However, it ultimately recommends a complete ban.<\/p>\n Its authors warn that permitting reduced silica content would not improve safety compliance.<\/p>\n \u201cThe features of the sector that have contributed to the current levels of non-compliance remain. In fact, permitting work with lower-silica engineered stone may encourage even greater non-compliance with WHS [work health and safety] laws as there may be an incorrect perception that these products are \u2018safer\u2019,\u201d it says.<\/p>\n Two key manufacturers are lobbying the federal government about the threshold that should be imposed for the amount of crystalline silica in engineered stone products.<\/p>\n Caesarstone wants a ban on manufactured stone with a crystalline silica concentration above 40 per cent, while Cosentino says a 10 per cent threshold could be achieved.<\/p>\n Unions and health experts say there is no safe level.<\/p>\n Occupational hygienist Kate Cole, who has repeatedly warned of the risks of silica dust, said politicians must now prohibit the import and use of engineered stone.<\/p>\n \u201cI can\u2019t see how we can\u2019t now ban it as a nation,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n Hundreds of tradies, draped in flags and clad in high-vis clothing blocked off Macquarie Street in central Sydney on Thursday morning, chanting \u201ckiller stone\u201d.<\/p>\n CFMEU national secretary Zach Smith said: \u201cThe fact we\u2019re still arguing for this, the fact that we have to do this, the fact that we have to hit the streets is a disgrace in itself. It\u2019s a moral failure.\u201d<\/p>\n Controversial CFMEU leader John Setka addressed the crowd, and called for the immediate ban of silica engineered stone. \u201cWe will keep going until this death stone is banned. Politicians, if they fail to ban this, they will have blood on their hands,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
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