Abstract
Exposure to respirable crystalline silica (RCS) occurs when workers cut, shape or polish rock, including the popular benchtop material engineered stone. This exposure leads to silica-related health issues in stonemasons and construction workers. Applying Australian data, 250 of the 1000 New Zealand workers who’ve fabricated engineered stone in the past 15 years will develop silica-related diseases.
Australia has taken decisive action—banning engineered stone, establishing a National Occupational Respiratory Disease Registry, and mandating reporting. Unfortunately, action in New Zealand (NZ) is lagging behind Australia, leaving our tradespeople at risk.
The government is currently calling for feedback on a range of options to control the risks from engineered stone. A ban on engineered stone slabs is urgently required to prevent further avoidable health harms, along with a registry of exposed workers to ensure effective follow-up. However, these measures should be part of a wider Worker Health, Wellbeing and Safety Strategy including a National Occupational Health Service.