Workplace Safety Minister Madeleine Ogilvie must outline the position she intends to take on banning the use of engineered stone at a meeting of State and Territory Workplace Ministers today.
A new Safe Work Australia report recommends a full ban on the use of engineered stone in Australia. It is now up to the states to determine whether to adopt the findings of the report.
If Minister Ogilvie doesn’t commit to a ban on the product she will be placing the lives of Tasmanian workers at risk.
Engineered stone presents a potentially deadly safety risk to workers exposed to silica dust and urgent action must be taken to stem the tide of workers contracting deadly silicosis.
Too many Tasmanian workers are already suffering from this entirely preventable serious illness.
The ban of domestic use of this product would be a positive step in protecting the health of workers to ensure that we don’t repeat the tragic circumstances of the lives lost as a result of exposure to asbestos.
Workplace safety is in Labor’s DNA, and we will always stand up for safer workplaces.
Minister Ogilvie must commit to taking action to save the lives of our workers.
Sarah Lovell MLC
Shadow Minister Workplace Relations
