On 13 December 2023, WHS ministers representing the Commonwealth, states and territories agreed to Safe Work Australia’s recommendation to prohibit the use of engineered stone to protect thousands of workers from respirable crystalline silica (silica dust).

The prohibition will ban a person conducting a business from carrying out work, or directing or allowing a worker to carry out work, on or with engineered stone. This includes manufacturing, supplying, processing and installing engineered stone.

WHS ministers unanimously agreed to prohibit the use, supply and manufacture of all engineered stone with the majority of jurisdictions to commence the prohibition from 1 July 2024. Jurisdictions will manage arrangements for working with engineered stone products installed prior to the prohibition on the basis of a national framework developed by Safe Work Australia.

More information can be found on the Safe Work Australia website

Until the prohibition of engineered stone comes into effect, workers and businesses can continue to work with engineered stone in a controlled way.

If you are cutting, grinding, trimming, sanding, abrasive polishing or drilling engineered stone using power tools or other mechanical plant, you must use one of the following:

• a water suppression (wet cutting) system

• an on-tool dust extraction system, or 

• local exhaust ventilation system.

Fortunately, Pacific Stone has had the above measures in place for many years and are proud to put the health & safety of our staff as our number one priority.

Until the ban is in effect we will continue to provide engineered stone products whilst stock is available.