Stone benchtops not a death sentence for workers when cutting done right

They may be the hottest kitchen commodity on the market but will consumers shun stone benchtops, which have been linked to worker deaths?

One of far north Queensland's largest suppliers rejects calls for a ban of engineered stone and says it's up to manufacturers and suppliers to eliminate safety risks. Read more: abc.net.au

Wearing industrial respirators is compulsory while cutting engineered stone to mitigate the risk of workers inhaling potentially deadly, airborne silica particles.(ABC Far North: Charlie McKillop)

Call for kitchen staple to be banned

A common “deadly” kitchen building material has been linked to the deaths of dozens of Aussie tradies, as one of the nation’s top asbestos support groups says it is “worse than asbestos”.

Engineered stone countertops are riddled with deadly silica, which causes silicosis — an incurable work-related lung disease. Read more: news.com.au

MEDICAL BODIES CALL FOR BAN ON ENGINEERED STONE

Leading health bodies have backed calls for the banning of engineered stone commonly used in kitchens and bathrooms as well as industry which has been linked to the lung disease silicosis.

The call came from a powerful group – The Lung Foundation Australia, Thoracic Society of Australia, Australian and New Zealand Society of Occupational Medicine Inc, Australian Institute of Health & Safety, Public Health Association Australia, and the Australian Institute of Occupational Hygienists. Read more: aumanufacturing.com.au

Engineered stone bench top makers shun a safety scheme to stop workers inhaling silica deadly dust

Engineered stone fabricators’ lack of support for a scheme to prevent workers being exposed to deadly silica dust could lead to stricter rules for the industry. Read more: stuff.co.nz

Benchtop giant, health groups demand dangerous-stone ban

One of the world’s largest stone benchtop companies and a coalition of health experts have separately called for a ban on products blamed for a deadly silicosis epidemic. Read more: theage.com.au

Calls to ban artificial stone benchtops with the material labelled 'deadly'

A popular material used in millions of homes could soon be banned, with almost 600 Australians diagnosed with silicosis after working with artificial stone benchtops. See more: Youtube #7news

The state also introduces a new code to minimise silica dust exposure

The Queensland government has introduced new codes of practice that aim to protect employees' psychological wellbeing and address silica dust exposure in the workplace. The Managing the Risk of Psychosocial Hazards at Work Code of Practice is a 67-page document detailing how to minimise psychosocial hazards at work. Read more: hcamag.com

Australian company leading the charge against silicosis

Leading mining and civil services firm Global Road Technology (GRT) is using its cutting-edge dust control technology to help combat the spread of crystalline silica dust across mining sites as pressure grows on Australian workplaces to meet higher safety standards as silicosis cases rise.

Read more: safetowork.com.au

Silica Safety Awareness Units Endorsed

3 new units for Silica Safety Awareness have been endorsed. They are:

CPCSIL2001 - Use and maintain respiratory protective equipment

CPCSIL3001 - Work with products and materials containing crystalline silica, and

CPCSIL4001 - Supervise and manage work with products and materials generating respirable crystalline silica.

The introductory unit: CPCSIL1001 Prepare to work safely with products and materials containing crystalline silica has not as yet been endorsed.

The CPCSIL2001 unit has been designed for people who may be required to work with products and materials containing crystalline silica (CS) and who may be required to use RPE to reduce exposure to CS.

All of the units have a pre-requisite unit: CPCCWHS2001 Apply WHS requirements, policies and procedures in the construction industry. This unit is offered by Inscope Training (RTO 40926) CPCWHS2001 and can be completed as a stand-alone unit.

Ammonite has created the unit “ CPCSIL2001 - Use and maintain respiratory protective equipment” using quality learning and assessment resources. The unit is comprehensive and thoroughly mapped.

Preventing Silicosis in the Mining Industry

The Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) recently published an alert on protecting workers in the mining industry from the dangers of respirable crystalline silica.

Read more: ohsonline.com