WAIKATO TIMES: Benchtop Manufacturer Rules Out Silica For Workers’ Peace Of Mind
Ke-Xin Li | WAIKATO TIMES
A benchtop manufacturer is voluntarily banning silica from its workplaces so staff don’t have to worry about lung disease.
AGB has six factories across the country, including one in Te Rapa, Hamilton, and had already stopped working with high-silica engineered stone as the spotlight came on links with irreversible lung disease silicosis.
Cutting and sanding the engineered stone creates high levels of silica dust, and WorkSafe has said the process can cause the progressive lung disease.
The Australian Government banned engineered stone entirely in July and AGB co-owners Cam and Christine Paranthoiene heard from peers that it was giving staff “peace of mind”.
They decided to follow suit, and hope to lead change in the industry.
Dust from engineered stone has been linked to the incurable lung condition silicosis.
MARK TAYLOR / WAIKATO TIMES
Paranthoiene said an Australian-style ban should not be required in New Zealand, where industrial safeguards like WorkSafe actively monitor safety.
However, moving to zero-silica products would reassure workers that they are not putting their lives in danger by making benchtops.
“It’s from the mental health perspective about the burden that they were feeling.”
Engineered stone can contain up to 90% crystalline silica, much higher than in natural stones, and is said to contribute to accelerated silicosis.
AGB had already been offering a 40% silica stone range with less silica content than natural stones such as granite.
Zero-silica stone will cost a little more, but Paranthoiene said they are not transferring that to consumers.
Customers shouldn’t be penalised for wanting to do the right thing, he said.
AGB’s owners said the move to zero-silica product range is to provide peace of mind to their factory staff. Pictured is Saikumar Gannavaran at the Te Rapa factory.
MARK TAYLOR / WAIKATO TIMES
An alliance of 19 organisations, including New Zealand Council of Trade Unions wrote to the Minister of WorkSafe earlier in July, asking for a ban on engineered stone following Australia’s move.
President of NZCTU, Richard Wagstaff, said he’s pleased to see businesses actively taking silica out, but disappointed that there has not been a stronger stance from the government.
“Absolutely can't rely on individual businesses voluntarily monitoring the standard. We still know that it has been used and imported in New Zealand and therefore it is still a danger to working people and it requires regulation to ban it from its use to eliminate it from New Zealand. Nothing short of a ban will have the outcome that we need.”
