Stone cutting company and director fined $135,000 over silica risk
16 July 2026•BlueSafe Team•Source: SafeWork NSW
The Industrial Court of NSW has convicted and fined Crystal Touch Masonry Pty Ltd and its sole director, Raad Patti, a combined $135,000 over a risk of workers being exposed to respirable crystalline silica.
Following a prosecution by SafeWork NSW, the company received a $75,000 fine and Mr Patti was fined $60,000. The case stemmed from an incident on 24 March 2023 involving a risk of exposure to respirable crystalline silica.
Crystal Touch Masonry pleaded guilty under section 33 of the Work Health and Safety Act 2011 to failing to meet its health and safety duty under section 19(1). Mr Patti also pleaded guilty under section 33, for failing to meet his duty as an officer under section 27(1).
Both the company and Mr Patti can appeal their sentences. The full judgments are available on the NSW Caselaw website.
SafeWork NSW’s release also notes that, since 1 October last year, businesses have been legally required to register every worker engaged in high-risk processing of crystalline silica substances. This includes cutting, drilling, grinding and polishing. Information about the silica worker register is available on the regulator’s website.
Business owners and workers can find resources on the SafeWork NSW website to help them manage risks associated with working with respirable crystalline silica.
Workers concerned about health and safety at their workplace can contact SafeWork NSW anonymously by calling 13 10 50 or using the Speak up Save lives website.
Acting SafeWork Commissioner Petrina Casey said workers carrying out high-risk processing of crystalline silica substances may be exposed to dust that can cause serious health issues, including silicosis and lung cancer. She said awareness and assessment of risks, together with safe systems of work, were key to reducing exposure risks.
“SafeWork NSW reminds all businesses of their duty to ensure their workplaces are safe for employees and contractors.” Ms Casey said.
How Blue Safe can help: Our free WHS self-check can help you review your business’s approach to workplace health and safety and identify areas that may need closer attention, including officer due diligence. Take the free WHS self-check