The days of paper masks are long gone in safety-conscious workshops making engineered stone kitchen and bathroom bench tops, but the legacy of historic dust exposure is causing health problems for workers. WorkSafe is clamping down on safety standards at businesses making engineered stone bench tops, but there are no plans to ban the popular product. Joseph Johnson/Stuff An estimated 60,000 slabs of engineered stone are imported into New Zealand annually for use in kitchen and bathroom bench tops, and wall linings for commercial premises. The New Zealand Engineered Stone Advisory Group represents most major importers and distributors of engineered stone, and chair Mike Arthur said they did not believe a ban was necessary because the product could be safely fabricated using the correct processes and equipment. Amanda Cropp/Stuff Dust produced during polishing, sanding and grinding of engineered stone has been linked to accelerated silicosis, an incurable lung disease.

Source: Stuff April 23, 2021 17:00 UTC