Work Health and Safety (WHS) ministers have agreed on moves to address the rising concern of silicosis among workers. 

Planned changes aim to mitigate the risks associated with respirable crystalline silica, a hazardous substance known to cause severe lung disease.

The new amendments include two sets of regulations. 

The first set, effective from 1 July 2024, will enforce a ban on the use of engineered stone. This ban is part of a broader initiative to regulate materials containing crystalline silica more stringently from 1 September 2024.

The first set of amendments introduces two national frameworks. The first framework requires notifying a WHS regulator about work involving legacy engineered stone. The second framework provides a process for applying for exemptions for certain types of engineered stone under specific circumstances. 

These regulations require individual jurisdictions to integrate these changes into their respective WHS laws by 1 July 2024.

A new dedicated website offers comprehensive information about the engineered stone ban. The website includes a timeline, an overview of transitional arrangements, and links to jurisdiction-specific resources.

The second set of amendments, effective from 1 September 2024, focuses on stronger regulation of all materials containing crystalline silica. 

This will include prohibitions on uncontrolled processing of crystalline silica substances and will require businesses to develop Silica Risk Control Plans, provide additional training for workers, and undertake air and health monitoring.

These regulations are crucial given the increasing prevalence of silicosis. Recently, a NSW company was fined $375,000 for failing to take practical steps to minimise exposure to silica dust, leading to prolonged worker exposure over nearly seven years. 

The WHS ministers also discussed the Phase 3 Asbestos National Strategic Plan 2024-2030, aimed at eliminating asbestos-related diseases and supporting affected workers. The plan builds on previous phases and includes specific actions to remove asbestos-containing materials safely.

In addition, ministers committed to an inaugural Silica National Strategic Plan to be reviewed in their next meeting.