Opening the policy window: how Australia banned engineered stone.

Area of Science:

• Occupational Health and Safety
• Public Policy Analysis
• Health Regulation

Background:

• Engineered stone (ES) ban in Australia addresses the occupational health crisis of silicosis.
• Silicosis is an irreversible lung disease caused by crystalline silica exposure.
• The ban, effective July 1, 2024, aims to protect workers in ES processing industries.

Purpose of the Study:

• Analyze Australia's engineered stone ban using Kingdon's multiple streams framework (MSF).
• Investigate how the silicosis crisis gained policy agenda priority.
• Examine the convergence of problem framing, solutions, and politics in enabling the ban.

Main Methods:

• Qualitative case study approach.
• Thematic analysis of government reports, consultations, media, advocacy materials, and expert insights.
• Structured analysis around MSF's problem, policy, and politics streams.

Main Results:

• Problem stream: Silicosis framed as a public health emergency affecting young workers.
• Policy stream: Evolved policy options driven by sustained union, professional, and researcher advocacy.
• Political stream: Bipartisan support, low industry resistance, and minimal economic impact facilitated change, creating a policy window.

Conclusions:

• Policy change achieved through alignment of evidence, political will, and advocacy.
• Key enablers included strategic problem framing, limited industry opposition, and political feasibility.
• Kingdon's MSF effectively explains the convergence of factors leading to occupational health reform.