Information current: 6 August 2026
Do not cut, grind, drill, polish, remove or otherwise disturb engineered stone until you have identified the material, confirmed the work is permitted and prepared effective silica controls.
In Victoria, work involving the manufacture, supply, processing and installation of engineered stone benchtops, panels and slabs has been banned since 1 July 2024. Limited exceptions apply to activities such as permitted repair, modification, removal and disposal of existing products. Local requirements vary across Australia, so always check current regulator material for the state or territory where the work will happen.
What counts as engineered stone?
In Victoria, engineered stone is generally an artificial product containing at least 1% crystalline silica by weight, made by combining natural stone materials with other constituents and then hardening the mixture. Some concrete, ceramic, porcelain and sintered stone products are excluded from that definition.
Appearance alone may not give you a reliable answer. Check product records, labels, plans, invoices, safety data sheets and information from the owner or supplier. If installed stone cannot be identified, Victorian guidance says to have it tested by an appropriately accredited laboratory or treat it as engineered stone until confirmed otherwise.
Main hazards
Cutting, grinding and abrasive polishing can release respirable crystalline silica. This extremely fine dust can be inhaled deep into the lungs and is associated with silicosis, lung cancer, kidney disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and autoimmune disease.
The dust may be invisible and can remain airborne after larger particles have settled. Nearby trades, residents, cleaners and other people can therefore be exposed even when they are not operating the tool.
Other hazards commonly include:
- heavy or awkward sections causing manual handling injuries
- cuts, entanglement and flying fragments from power tools
- electrical and slip hazards created by water suppression
- noise, vibration and restricted work areas
- falling material during removal or transport
- contaminated clothing, equipment, vehicles, slurry and waste.
What to sort out before work starts
Start by confirming the exact product, installation date, proposed activity and location. Establish whether the task falls within a permitted exception and whether cutting or other processing can be avoided. For removal work, taking the product out intact may be safer than breaking it into smaller pieces.
Consult workers and coordinate with the builder, occupier and other trades. Consider who could enter the area, where dust or slurry could travel and whether the work should be completed onsite or in a properly equipped workshop.
Before mobilisation, settle:
- the work sequence and exclusion area
- tools, water supply, extraction and electrical protection
- ventilation and protection of nearby rooms or occupants
- lifting, transport, decontamination and waste arrangements
- suitable respiratory protection and fit testing
- training, supervision and emergency arrangements
- required documents, briefings, inspections and records.
What good controls look like
Avoid disturbing the product wherever reasonably practicable. For permitted processing, higher-order controls may include isolation, integrated water delivery, on-tool dust extraction and suitable local exhaust ventilation. Only use machinery designed for the selected control method, and manage runoff so water does not introduce electrical, slip or contamination risks.
Respiratory protective equipment supports these controls. It must be suitable for the task and wearer, correctly fitted, maintained and used by trained workers. Tight-fitting respirators require fit testing and an effective facial seal.
Keep dust and slurry controlled during cleaning. Dry sweeping, compressed air and high-pressure cleaning can return settled silica to the air. Collect slurry while wet, stop it drying on surfaces and package waste so it does not expose workers, waste collectors or others.
When a SWMS or site-specific document applies
A SWMS commonly applies when the task forms part of high risk construction work. It should match the actual site, work sequence, hazards and controls rather than repeat a generic stone-cutting method.
In Victoria, a permitted engineered stone process requires a crystalline silica hazard control statement before work starts. It records the hazards, risks, controls and how those controls will be implemented. Where the process is also high risk construction work, this information can be incorporated into the SWMS.
Depending on the activity and jurisdiction, the document set may also include a risk assessment, safe work procedure, exclusion plan, pre-start record, respirator fit-test record, equipment inspection, training evidence, exposure monitoring, health monitoring and waste records.
Practical warning signs
Stop and reassess when:
- the material or permitted basis for the work is unclear
- the method relies on uncontrolled dry processing
- water suppression or extraction is missing or ineffective
- visible dust or slurry is escaping the work area
- respirators are unsuitable, damaged or not fit-tested
- workers or nearby occupants have not been briefed
- the SWMS or control statement does not match the task
- slurry is drying or contaminated waste is unsecured.
How Blue Safe helps
Blue Safe provides compliant WHS documents tailored to the client's activities, applicable Australian WHS/OHS requirements, jurisdiction and industry. This includes documents such as SWMS, risk assessments, safe work procedures, silica control documents and supporting records suited to the work being performed.
Blue Safe guarantees the document compliance of the WHS documents it provides, including eligible customer documents after Blue Safe has reviewed and upgraded them. Customers actively put the compliant documents into practice through controls, consultation, training, actions, records and evidence. This gives supervisors and workers a clear, practical system to use before work starts and when site conditions change.
Official sources
- WorkSafe Victoria — Engineered stone Compliance Code
- Victorian legislation — Occupational Health and Safety Act 2004
The Victorian Compliance Code is useful orientation for Victorian work. National Model Codes and guidance should also be treated as general orientation unless adopted or otherwise given effect locally. Check current requirements with the regulator for the jurisdiction where the work occurs.