From 1 July 2024, the manufacture, supply, processing or installation of engineered stone benchtops, panels or slabs is banned in Victoria. Engineered stone products not in these forms are not banned. There are limited exceptions to the ban where work can be performed on engineered stone benchtops, panels and slabs. This includes:
- removal, repair or modification of installed engineered stone benchtop and panels
- disposal of installed or uninstalled engineered stone benchtops, panels and slabs
- research and analysis, and
- to sample and identify engineered stone.
Specific controls are required when permitted engineered stone work involves an engineered stone process. An engineered stone process is also considered high risk crystalline silica work and you must comply with the high risk crystalline silica work obligations.
A ban has been introduced as rates of silicosis and silica-related diseases in Australian workers have risen substantially in recent years. A large number of these diagnoses are engineered stone workers as they are exposed to crystalline silica dust in the processing of products such as benchtops, panels or slabs.
