Berkley Re Asia Pacific (a Berkley Company)’s Post

Australia has become the first country in the world to prohibit the use of engineered stone, protecting workers from deadly silica dust. The prohibition will occur in most Australian jurisdictions from 1 July 2024.   With an estimated 10,000 people working in the engineered stone industry in Australia, the decision will have far reaching impacts and should see a significant decrease in the number of workers affected by silicosis and silica related diseases.   Hamilton Locke has prepared an article outlining the legislation, recommendations from Safe Work Australia, and insights to ensure you understand what this means for you and your business.   Want to find out more? Read the article below or connect with Michael Cole, Director of Employment and Safety, or the Source Workplace team for any questions, concerns, or expert advice on compliance and audits.   #WorkplaceSafety #LegislationUpdate #ComplianceMatters

🚫 Engineered Stone Ban Now in Effect in WA! 🚫 Here’s what you need to know: ·        Protecting Workers’ Health: The Cook Government has enacted a ban on the manufacture, supply, and installation of engineered stone in Western Australia, effective immediately. ·        Silicosis Prevention: This regulation aims to prevent silicosis, a fatal lung disease caused by inhaling crystalline silica dust generated during the processing of engineered stone. Key Dates to Remember: ·        Immediate Ban: Manufacture and supply of engineered stone. ·        Transitional Period: Contracts signed before January 1, 2024, can be completed by December 31, 2024. ·        Upcoming Regulations: Stronger work health and safety measures for other silica-containing products will be introduced on September 1, 2024. ·        Exceptions: Mining industries and already installed engineered stone benchtops are not affected by this ban, as they do not release harmful dust in their finished state. ·        Government’s Stance: Industrial Relations Minister Simone McGurk emphasizes the critical need for these measures to protect WA workers from silicosis. Key Takeaways for You: 1.                 Immediate Action Required: Cease all manufacture and supply of engineered stone. 2.                 Complete Existing Contracts: Ensure installations for pre-2024 contracts are done by the end of the year. 3.                 Stay Informed: Prepare for the new silica regulations affecting broader industries from September 2024. 4.                 Safety First: Understand that finished engineered stone products in homes are safe. 5.                 Awareness: Spread the word to ensure all stakeholders are aware of these new regulations. Are you prepared for these changes? Let's discuss how this impacts your business and workforce. 👇 #WorkplaceSafety #SilicosisPrevention #WAHealthRegulations #EngineeredStoneBan #CookGovernment

#Asbestos and #Silica are comparable, yet only Asbestos Containing Materials (ACMs) are banned in #Australia. ⛑Silica poses a #risk of irreparable lung illness or disease, including #silicosis and #lung cancer. 🏥Safe Work Australia report that 488 Silicosis workers’ compensation claims were accepted in #harmonised jurisdictions between 2010-11 and 2020-21. Most of which were made since 2018. 🛑#Engineered stone, commonly used in kitchen #benchtops, can contain up to 95% silica. Australia is a step closer to placing a #ban this product following SafeWork Australia’s recommendation to do so. If a #national ban is not achieved, the #NSW Government has announced that it will, nevertheless, proceed with a ban. 🚨 However, engineered stone is #not the only source of Silica #exposure.   💡Silica is #naturally occurring and can be found in common #building materials including: 🔹#asphalt 🔹#cement, mortar, and grout 🔹#concrete, concrete blocks and fibre cement products 🔹#bricks, and 🔹#pavers and tiles including roof #tiles. 📜‘‘Whilst many accepted cases have been in the engineered stone sector, workers in #other industries have also developed silicosis. For example…[the data] suggests that there may be a larger cohort of #tunnelling workers who have yet to be diagnosed with silicosis.” (Safe Work Australia Decision Regulation Impact Statement, Managing the risks of respirable crystalline silica at work, February 2023) 🏮Many parallels can be drawn with the #healthandsafety challenges with Asbestos. However, all asbestos containing materials were #banned since December 2003 whereas, presently, only silica containing engineered stone is being considered for a ban. 📈Over representation of #workers from the engineered stone industry presenting with silica related illnesses and disease has channelled the attention onto engineered stone. Nevertheless, other #industries continue to be affected by #lethal silica exposure. 👣Hence, a ban on engineered stone is a step #forward but not the end of the conversation on reducing the risks of silica exposure. 📚Further information on: ➡Asbestos risks https://lnkd.in/gxThrRZQ ➡Silica risks https://lnkd.in/gSZzapZp Remember, your local Safety Regulator is available to assist. SafeWork NSW 131050 WorkSafe Victoria 1800136089 SafeWork SA 1300365255 Workplace Health and Safety Queensland 1300362128 WorkSafe WA 1300307877 WorkSafe Tasmania 1300366322 WorkSafe ACT 132281 NT WorkSafe 1800019115 Comcare 1300366979 #WHS #workplace #workplacesafety #letstalkaboutsafety #SiteSafety #Compliance #workplaceculture #WorkSafe #Gohomesafe #Protectworkers #safety #safetymanual #construction #residentialconstruction #OSHLeaders #SafetyConversations #SafetyCommunity #bestadvice

Australia has set a precedent by becoming the first country globally to agree to a prohibition on engineered stone, a pivotal move to safeguard industry workers from the severe health risks associated with silica dust exposure. With contracts being entered into after 13 December 2023 being impacted, you need to know what this means for workers or Persons Conducting a Business or Undertaking. Read our latest article from our Head of ESG, Michael Tooma, and Lawyer, Isabel Harrison, to gain valuable insights into the regulatory landscape and its impact. #WorkerSafety #IndustryStandards #ESGLeadership

If you're unsure - say more. Safe Work Australia's time-weighted-average workplace exposure standard (WES) for respirable crystalline silica (RCS) is 0.05 mg/m3 - is YOUR worksite compliant? There is no cure for silicosis - it can only be prevented. Whilst engineered stone is the leading source of silica-related health concerns, it is also prevalent in many construction materials and related occupational activities: Materials: -Concrete -Brick -Soils and Dust -Mortar -Asphalt -Ceramics -Glass -Fiberglass -Mining and Quarrying Materials -Quartz -Sand If you are concerned about respirable crystalline silica on your work-site and for your work mates - start monitoring RCS in seconds: consider hiring Control Hire's Real-Time Silica Dust Monitor. 👉 https://lnkd.in/gn93NGYv #controlhire #silica #safeworkAU #workplacehealth #occupationalhealth #silicosis #respiratory #dust #monitoring #hire #saymore #how #wes #rcs

Check Safe Work Australia's Decision RIS on the ban of Engineered Stone ⬇ Safe Work Australia's Decision Regulation Impact Statement (RIS) scrutinises the possible ban on engineered stone, prompted by health concerns linked to crystalline silica exposure. Here's a concise overview for businesses to glance through: 1) Stakeholder Support: Most stakeholders supported some form of prohibition, with unions, professional organizations, and health bodies favouring a complete ban. Industry groups, while acknowledging the issue of silicosis, suggest addressing it through the regulation of high-risk crystalline silica processes. A licensing scheme for lower silica-engineered stone has garnered support from some involved businesses. 2) Impact Analysis Approach: The RIS takes a comprehensive approach to assess the potential impacts, costs, and benefits of these prohibitions. It's all about understanding the implications and expenses in detail. 3) Consultation and Stakeholder Feedback: Stakeholders have played a significant role in shaping this analysis. Their insights and feedback, collected through consultations, have been pivotal in evaluating the potential prohibitions. 4. Best Option and Implementation: Among the alternatives, Option 2 has emerged as the most recommended approach. It entails the prohibition of engineered stone with 40% or more crystalline silica content, with provisions for a smooth transition. 5. Monetised Costs: The document delves into the monetary implications of these options, outlining costs incurred by engineered stone businesses and government entities. This is a complex issue with broad implications for worker health, industry dynamics, and regulatory practices. It highlights the need for a balanced approach that safeguards worker health while considering the industry's viability If you have any queries or want our expert to explain further, feel free to contact us at 1300 802 163 or e-mail – sales@anitechgroup.com. 📈🛠️ #SafeWorkAustralia #DecisionRiskImpactStatement #DecisionRIS #ProhibitionofEngineeredStone #EngineeringStoneBan #SilicaExposure #BusinessImpacts #WorkersSafety #Silicosis #workplacehealthandsafety #important #mustread #businesssolutions #consultingservices #Australia #Anitech

Two decades after the complete ban of asbestos in Australia, the dangers of respirable crystalline silica are now in the spotlight. With a ban on engineered stone being considered by national policymakers, further options for regulating its use and processing are needed. But does natural stone also pose a risk? #StoneInitiatives #stoneinitiatives20years #crystallinesilica #asbestos #stonetesting

Engineered stone, the generic name for Ceasarstone or Quartzite used in countertops, has been banned in Australia because workers who cut it are dying from silicosis. I don't know if the ban will spread, but we should still be looking at alternatives. I do a lecture I call "counterintelligence" for my sustainable design students at Toronto Metropolitan University where I look at alternatives, and I have turned it into a post. What's your favourite countertop? https://lnkd.in/g_S5Bqzc

✨ Folks! Just resharing the post below from Craig Penty. What stands out for me here from Craig is this: ..."The main issue is not the toughness of the regulations but the compliance to them and the availability of easy solutions." The availability of easy solutions, and if I could also add the willingness to take positive steps to address and manage this devastating hazard. I see tradies working away already in my short time back in Scotland without masks, without containment, exposing themselves and others to dust. Also, this from Craig: ..."New and better engineering controls are on their way. Independent testing has shown that Guarda technology can reduce airborne respirable dust by between 87-99% compared to conventional wet cutting and dry-vacuum dust suppression methods. Engineering controls remove dust at the source before it gets anywhere near the lungs. This means safer worksites, quicker more efficient operations and simpler compliance to workplace regulations. If you are in Melbourne on Wed 16 Aug and would like to see a demo of best practice engineering dust controls, please DM me (Craig Penty) and I'll provide more details."... Time to change. #bethechange #silicadust #silica #constructionsafety #tradielife #safetyleadership

Engineered stone and silica... Blanket bannings not a solution, government would have to ban silica products in general as it is contained in concrete as well as other stones. Enforce higher safety standards! https://lnkd.in/gs4qW9Zf What about Caesar who reduced silica in their product line up and employ safety when it? https://lnkd.in/gBbab-fM Raise the bar on safety standards!