With the South Australian and Western Australian governments now on board a ban on engineered stone, it seems it is only a matter of time before a national ban becomes a reality.

This week those two states joined other state governments in pledging to implement a ban on using, making or importing engineered stone if the federal government does not impose a national ban.

For workers, a ban will mean the end to the risk the material poses—deaths from silicosis. It may also mean increased cost pressures due to more expensive alternatives.