The Dust of Death
Ads over deadly engineered stone labelled disgrace and misinformation by state treasurer
NSW Treasurer Daniel Mookhey compared the current campaign by engineered stone manufacturers to the tactics used before the nationwide prohibition of asbestos.
- by Angus Thompson
Latest
Engineered stone review puts total ban on the table
Sources say one option put forward by the Safe Work Australia report, expected to be released on Friday, is an all-out ban of the product.
- by Angus Thompson
Caesarstone launches advertising blitz over potential benchtop ban
The manufacturer of a popular engineered stone is warning against a blanket ban on the dangerous product as the federal government keeps a key Safe Work report under wraps.
- by Angus Thompson
Exclusive
Medicine
This deadly disease should be relegated to the dustbin of history. Instead, it’s surging
Joanna McNeill could always taste dust on her lips when she was working in the office at a quarry. She had never heard of silicosis – until she was diagnosed with it.
- by Aisha Dow
Federal government under pressure to release Safe Work’s benchtop ban report
States and territories are agitating for the release of the report on banning engineered stone as unions and health experts call for the recommendations to be made public.
- by Angus Thompson
Construction giant Boral fined over silica dust safety breaches
The building materials and chemical company pleaded guilty to breaching work safety laws by not enforcing the correct use of masks and exposing staff to dangerous dust.
- by David Estcourt
Exclusive
Workplace safety
Building industry backs high-silica kitchen benchtop ban
Master Builders Australia said it would support a ban on kitchen slabs with more than 40 per cent silica, but with a condition.
- by Angus Thompson
Exclusive
Workplace safety
‘Risking lives for fashionable finish’: Unions clash with business on benchtop ban
In its submission to Safe Work Australia’s probe, the ACTU said the engineered stone benchtops were a “fashion item,” not an essential building material, and should be banned.
- by Angus Thompson
Exclusive
Workplace safety
Doctors to be forced to report silicosis cases to new national registry
Under draft laws, if a clinician fails to report the patient’s name and workplace, they could face fines of up to $8250.
- by Angus Thompson
Is Safe Work up to the task on silicosis? Government MP casts doubt on the agency
Michelle Ananda-Rajah has cast doubt on the ability of Safe Work Australia to investigate a ban on engineered stone, joining other government MPs in saying the response is too slow.
- by Angus Thompson
Analysis
Analysis
Progress on a benchtop ban sounds good on the surface, but don’t ignore the fine print
How much for a human life? It’s an uncomfortable question state and federal ministers have been forced to finally address.
- by Adele Ferguson