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On 22 March 2024, the National Work Health and Safety Ministers met to decide on further details of the ban on engineered stone. The use, supply and manufacture of engineered stone slabs, panels and benchtops will be banned in Western Australia from 1 July 2024, but a transition period will last until 31 December 2024. The pre-existing contracts for engineered stone will be honoured during the transition period. Engineered stone benchtops and other products already installed in homes do not pose a health hazard, as the finished product does not release dust. However, those working with already installed engineered stone, for example to remove it, will need to notify WorkSafe. For the full media release - https://ow.ly/pF7B50R2Piy For further information - https://ow.ly/y7q050R2Piw ➡️ An online information session is to be held on the topic in April 2024 and the registration link to join will be announced in the coming weeks.

Head over to page 77 if you fancy reading my piece on how public services can grasp the innovation opportunity!

🚨 Important Announcement: Queensland Implements Ban on Engineered Stone Work from 1 July 2024 🚨 Queensland's Minister for State Development and Infrastructure, Minister for Industrial Relations, and Minister for Racing, The Honourable Grace Grace, has declared a significant change affecting the industry: the cessation of all engineered stone work starting July 1, 2024. Key Takeaways for Industry: ✅ Cease Work with Engineered Stone: From 1 July 2024 all work related to engineered stone, including manufacturing, supply, processing, and installation of benchtops, panels, and slabs, must halt, regardless of prior contractual agreements. ✅ Safety is Paramount: The ban is enacted to safeguard worker health, addressing serious risks associated with engineered stone work, such as silicosis. Like asbestos, legacy engineered stone work will be permitted under stringent safety measures. ✅ Compliance is Essential: Businesses operating in the industry must adhere to the ban without exception. Failure to comply with safety protocols poses significant risks to workers' health and could result in legal ramifications. What Industry Needs to Do: ✅ Review Operations: Evaluate current practices to ensure compliance with the impending ban. Identify any ongoing work with engineered stone and make necessary arrangements to cease operations by the specified date. ✅ Implement Safety Measures: For businesses dealing with legacy engineered stone, stringent safety protocols must be enforced to mitigate health risks. Consult industry experts and regulatory guidelines to establish comprehensive safety measures. As the deadline approaches, it's crucial for industry stakeholders to take proactive steps to comply with the ban on engineered stone work. SafeAssure is committed to assisting businesses in meeting regulatory requirements and safeguarding worker health. Contact us today at [email protected] to ensure your organisation is prepared for this pivotal industry change. Read the full Media Statement here: https://lnkd.in/gfdfemRs #WorkerSafety #IndustryCompliance #SafeAssure #engineeredstone #WHSConsultancyAustralia

Safe Work Australia has published new guidance to assist persons conducting a business or undertaking (PCBUs) to understand their work health and safety obligations relating to the engineered stone ban, which comes into effect on 1 July 2024. The guidance provides information for PCBUs about: 🔸 The scope of the ban 🔸 Permitted work for repair, removal, minor modification and disposal of legacy engineered stone. 🔸 Notification of work with legacy engineered stone. 🔸 Exemptions from the prohibition. 🔸 Their duties under the national notification framework to notify the WHS regulator before carrying out any permitted work with legacy-engineered stone benchtops, panels and slabs 🔸 Their duties to ensure controlled processing of sintered stone, porcelain products and, where permitted, engineered stone and 🔸 The national exemption framework, including the process and requirements for seeking an exemption from the ban for a type of engineered stone where there is compelling evidence that the stone can be worked with safely. Please note that some States/Territories have transitional periods; for specific details about the implementation of the engineered stone prohibition in your jurisdiction, including the commencement date and any applicable transitional arrangements, please refer to the Safe Work Australia website. https://lnkd.in/d-2HkVDZ

Estates are complex and multifaceted beasts. They serve many highly valuable purposes and have many demands placed on them. Making them safe places to be is nothing new, but post-Grenfell it’s clear a level of rigour and accountability has been overlooked. Looking forward to what will be a real eye-opener of a day. Also, the opportunity to share my own thoughts on managing the state of overwhelm many estate managers find themselves in. Could data be the answer 🤔 #HydrockBSA #BuildingSafetyAct #DigitalEstates

Taking into consideration the urgency to reach #carbonneutrality as fast and as cost efficient as possible we need to have the #epbd agreed upon at the EP Plenary session and implemented in an ambitious matter in all #MemberStates The CEE countries are important and that is why a number of companies has signed the Advocacy Memorandum.

As has often been the case Hydrock is a thought leader, in this instance its one of the toughest challenges the #property and #construction industry faces, it's #TimeToLead and we're at the forefront looking to tackle the #BuildingSafetyAct challenges head on #HydrockBSA

We recently had a fantastic roundtable event with Knauf Insulation UK & Ireland to discuss the implications of Part L and beyond for the UK’s regional housebuilders. We discussed: ▪️ Some of the most common issues surrounding Part L ▪️ How best to support customers through changing regulations The event was recorded, so keep an eye out for the full video coming soon! What are your thoughts on Part L? Let us know in the comments below. 👇 #DrivingConstructionForward #ConstructiveConversations #PartL

UNITED ON HEALTH & SAFETY👷♂️👷♀️🪨🦺🤝🏼🇬🇧: A major new strategic initiative to improve health and safety in the mineral products industry recognises the critical importance of sharing information and collaboration. BRITISH AGGREGATES ASSOCIATION; The Institute of Quarrying; Mineral Products Association; Mineral Products Qualifications Council (MPQC), and QNJAC have come together as the Strategic Safety Forum (SSF) for Health and Safety in the Mineral Products Sector to facilitate and encourage collaboration and coordination between key sector organisations for the good of the industry and deliver on a common purpose. At the official public launch at the 2024 edition of the Hillhead - International quarrying, construction recycling show, it was stated that this collaborative forum, spanning the ‘aggregates, asphalt, cement, concrete, precast and masonry, dimension stone, lime, mortar and industrial sand industries’ across the whole of the United Kingdom, will help to ensure that the Sector achieves the highest possible standards of performance in Health and Safety (H&S) as part of its collective and individual, legal and moral responsibility so that everyone who engages with the Sector is kept safe and well. The SSF will seek to develop consensus across the Sector to encourage alignment of the Members’ initiatives and will facilitate collaboration and sharing. Particular emphasis will be placed on eliminating harm arising from the six key areas identified as being responsible for the majority of fatalities and serious injuries: Contact with moving machinery and isolation Workplace transport and pedestrian interface Work at height Workplace exposure to respirable crystalline silica Struck by moving or falling object Road traffic accidents For the full story, click here🗞️, click here➡️🖱️: https://lnkd.in/gTxTFXHB Jon Prichard CEng CEnv FICE FInstRE Viv Russell James Thorne Mike Phillips FIQ. FIMMM. Martin Riley Ben Williams

SWA releases guidance to support engineered stone ban Read more: 👇👇 https://buff.ly/3zq7xTe Safe Work Australia #worksafety #safetyculture #assistance #safty #besafe #secure #saftey #safetytips #healthandsafety #safetyfirst #Safety_Solutions