Federal, state and workplace ministers are meeting to consider a ban on the import and manufacture of engineered stone. 

The material contains silica, responsible for the deadly lung disease silicosis.

Unions say if a ban isn’t brought in by mid-2024, their members will refuse to work with engineered stone products.

CFMEU incoming national secretary Zach Smith told Bill McDonald there’s been cases of silicosis in workplaces even with the best workplace health and safety standards.

“Wet cutting, PPE, even licencing regimes like the one in Victoria have not been effective in stopping workers from dying of silicosis,” he said.

“A study out of NSW showed one in four workers are being screened for silicosis or another form of deadly dust disease.

“When you’re talking about one in four, it’s endemic; it’s not a few bad operators or a few bad apples, it’s an endemic issue in that industry.”

Press PLAY below to hear Zach Smith respond to listeners’ comments 

Image: Getty