Announcement Date
18 September 2024
Link to Announcement
https://ministers.dewr.gov.au/burke/engineered-stone-importation-ban-start-january-1
Problem Being Addressed
There has been a dramatic increase in cases of silicosis and silica-related disease in Australia in recent years, particularly in workers exposed to silica dust emissions produced during the processing of engineered stone, which is predominantly sourced from overseas. Engineered stone workers are over-represented amongst people diagnosed with silicosis.
Proposal
This Impact Analysis Equivalent considers enforcement and deterrence measures at the Australian border to complement previous efforts of state and territory work health and safety regulators to introduce model work health and safety laws to prohibit the use of engineered stone. These model work health and safety laws have been supported by previous Decision Regulatory Impact Statements (DRISs) prepared by Safe Work Australia:
- Managing the risks of respirable crystalline silica at work; and
- Prohibition on the use of engineered stone.
Assessed Impact Analysis Outcome
Impact Analysis Equivalent
Assessment Comments
The Office of Impact Analysis (OIA) does not assess the quality of reviews and documents used in lieu of Impact Analyses (IAs). Impact Analysis Equivalents (IAEs) are assessed by the OIA for relevance to the recommended option(s) and for the coverage of the 7 Impact Analysis questions conducted.
The OIA assessed that the options and analysis contained in the certified package of materials: the DRIS on Managing the risks of respirable crystalline silica at work; the DRIS on Prohibition on the use of engineered stone; and additional analysis prepared by the Department of Employment and Workplace Relations) to be sufficiently relevant to the proposal to meet the requirements in the Australian Government Guide to Policy Impact Analysis.
Regulatory Burden
The Department of Employment and Workplace Relations estimates implementing this proposal to ban the import of engineered stone will result in an increase in regulatory costs of $14.3 million per year, averaged over ten years.