A prohibition on the use, supply and manufacturing of all engineered stone will commence on 1 July 2024 in NSW.
What is engineered stone?
Engineered stone is defined as an artificial product that:
- contains crystalline silica
- Is created by combining natural stone materials with other chemical constituents such as water, resins, or pigments
- undergoes a process to become hardened.
The ban does not apply to other silica related materials such as:
- concrete and cement products
- bricks, pavers and other similar blocks
- porcelain products
- ceramic wall and floor tiles
- roof tiles
- grout, mortar and render
- plasterboard.
Why is the ban necessary?
- Rates of silicosis and silica-related diseases in Australian workers have risen substantially in recent years, with a disproportionate number of diagnoses in engineered stone workers.
- When engineered stone is processed, the dust generated has different physical and chemical properties that likely contribute to more rapid and severe disease.
- There is no scientific evidence for a safe threshold of crystalline silica content in engineered stone, or that lower silica content engineered stone is safer to work with.
Reminder: In the lead up to the ban, for tasks where engineered stone is used:
- employers continue to have a legal duty to protect workers by managing the health and safety risks from silica dust
- workers also continue to have a legal duty to take reasonable care of their own, and others, health and safety at work.
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