The Government is “preparing advice” after Australia announced it would ban engineered stone from next year.
The material is frequently used to manufacture benchtops thanks to its mixture of resin and quartz — which is cheaper and more durable than marble and granite.
Numbers released to RNZ estimate that 60,000 engineered stone slabs are imported into New Zealand each year, with 132 businesses fabricating them into benchtops.
The material can be hazardous to manufacture, containing 90% silica, which is “considerably higher” than natural stone, according to WorkSafe.
High exposure to silica dust can lead to accelerated silicosis, a deadly progressive lung disease.
Symptoms include a persistent cough, shortness of breath and difficulty breathing. According to the American Lung Association, the disease can lead to patients developing tuberculosis, lung cancer, COPD and kidney disease.
Silicosis can often take years to develop after a worker is exposed to the dust.
On their website, WorkSafe states that people who work with engineered stone benchtops are at “serious risk” of exposure to hazardous dust.
For these reasons, Australia today announced it would be banning the material nationwide from July 1 next year.
Queensland’s Industrial Relations Minister Grace Grace called it a “dangerous product”, not worth the risk to workers.
“All workers have a right to turn up to a safe and healthy workplace and I’m proud to be part of a government which has helped deliver this key measure to protect workers,” she said.
Australia’s workplace relations minister Tony Bruke said: “Silica-related diseases have been on the rise and it’s our job to do what we can to protect workers' lives - and today we’ve done just that.”
It comes after corporations like Bunnings and IKEA already banned the material.
So what about New Zealand?
Workplace relations and safety minister Brooke van Velden told 1News the Government was “currently preparing advice on this”.
“Which I will consider in due course.”
She said: “I expect this advice will take into account the latest analysis and evidence from Australia.”
New Zealand Council of Trade Union president Richard Wagstaff urged the Government to “move quickly” and follow Australia’s example.
“It's clear that engineered stone is very dangerous. The evidence is alarming. We don't need engineered stone,” he said.
Wagstaff said estimates from Australia show as many as one in four stonemasons who have worked with the material have been diagnosed with silicosis.
“We know from other stories around New Zealand that the health and safety practices around using engineered stone is far less than is acceptable, and we've seen photos of people sitting around workplaces with fine particles caked on the floor.
“We just don't have anywhere near enough competence in New Zealand's health and safety systems.”
He wants to see the Government ban the material as soon as possible.
“It's a good time for the Government to demonstrate that they put workers interests up there amongst their priorities.
“It hasn't been great for them over the last few days. Here's an easy win for them.”
Extractives health and safety group MinEx called the ban “another reminder that our sectors do need to remain vigilant and not be complacent around exposure to RCS".
"Quarries and mines need to ensure they identify any worker exposure risks and put adequate controls in place to minimise or eliminate any exposure of workers to it."
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