WorkSafe blocks supply of nearly 1,000 engineered stone benchtops

The team also seized more than 65 samples for testing of their silica and resin content. These included suspected engineered stone and products labelled as porcelain or sintered stone.

WorkSafe Executive Director Health and Safety Sam Jenkin said importers, suppliers and manufacturers had been warned before the ban and given ample time to comply. “Most businesses are doing the right thing and are moving away from engineered stone, but unfortunately we have found a small number have continued to put workers at risk,” Mr Jenkin said.

Mr Jenkin said WorkSafe would keep closely monitoring the stone supply and manufacturing industry. WorkSafe Manager Earth Resources and Silica Ben Wright said his team had already referred two duty holders for investigation over suspected supply and processing of engineered stone products after 1 July.

Mr Wright said WorkSafe had intercepted illegal products entering Victoria and stopped further production and supply of stockpiled engineered stone. Inspectors had also issued improvement notices where duty holders lacked necessary hazard control statements or information about the silica content of alternatives, including porcelain and sintered stone.

The ban followed rapidly rising rates of silicosis and other silica-related diseases among Australian workers, including many exposed to crystalline silica dust when processing engineered stone benchtops, panels and slabs. Silicosis is debilitating and potentially fatal. It has affected more than 680 Victorian workers since 2018, including 20 who have died.

The Occupational Health and Safety regulations prohibiting engineered stone cover all Victorian employers, irrespective of earlier contractual commitments. WorkSafe warned that duty holders breaching the ban could face strong compliance and enforcement action, including possible prosecution and potentially significant fines.

An exception permits the removal, repair or modification of engineered stone benchtops, panels or slabs installed before 1 July, provided strict control measures are used. WorkSafe is also working to raise construction industry awareness of continuing obligations to control crystalline silica dust. Construction inspectors provided guidance and advice to 204 residential and commercial builders during the past month.

Anyone concerned about workplace health and safety, including engineered stone risks, can call WorkSafe’s advisory service on 1800 136 089.

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