� WHS regulators must adequately regulate the industry .
The failure of only one participant to meet their duties could mean increased incidence of silicosis in engineered stone workers .
Unfortunately , there is evidence of continued non-compliance with WHS laws by PCBUs and workers in the engineered stone industry , despite significant education and awareness-raising activities as well as compliance and enforcement action by WHS regulators . This means workers will continue to be put at risk from exposure to RCS .
A lower silica content engineered stone is not expected to result in improvements in compliance . The 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 laws as there may be an incorrect perception that these products are ‘ safer ’.
There is also no evidence that lower silica engineered stone poses less risk to worker health and safety . Manufacturers have not yet established ( through independent scientific evidence ) that these products are without risks to the health and safety of workers and others in the workplace . There is no toxicological evidence of a ‘ safe ’ 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 .
Given this , a precautionary policy response is appropriate . At present an unknown number of Australian workers will go on to develop silicosis because of their prior exposure to RCS from working with engineered stone . The only way to ensure that another generation of Australian workers do not contract silicosis from such work is to prohibit its use , regardless of its silica content . The cost to industry , while real and relevant , cannot outweigh the significant costs to Australian workers , their families and the broader community that result from exposure to RCS from engineered stone .
DECISION REGULATION IMPACT STATEMENT Prohibition on the use of engineered stone Page 10 of 107