Australia has banned the manufacture, supply, processing and installation of engineered stone benchtops, panels and slabs.
Each state and territory has made specific changes to their work health and safety laws to implement the ban. These changes will protect workers, families and the community.
The Australian Government will ban the importation of engineered stone benchtops, slabs and panels from 1 January 2025.
On this page:
Background
What is engineered stone?
Many construction businesses have used engineered stone and you may already have some installed in your home or workplace.
Engineered stone is an artificial product that is used in construction and other industries. It is also known as composite stone, manufactured stone or artificial stone.
When engineered stone is cut or drilled into, it releases silica dust. If you breathe in silica dust, it can lead to a deadly disease called silicosis.
What is silicosis?
Silicosis is a deadly lung disease that comes from breathing in silica dust. Because of exposure to silica dust, people who work with engineered stone are at greater risk of contracting the disease. It impacts stone workers' health by causing permanent damage to their lungs.
While there is no cure for silicosis it can easily be prevented which is why the engineered stone ban is in place.
Who is at risk of silicosis?
Anyone who works with engineered stone is at risk of contracting silicosis.
Silicosis has a wide impact on the community. Stone workers can contract it and businesses and families may suffer financially because of it. We have a responsibility to do all we can to prevent it.
The engineered stone ban
Why is the ban in place?
Many multicultural communities represent a large proportion of the engineered stone industry. The engineered stone ban will keep workers, families and the community safe from a deadly and avoidable disease.
The ban is in response to a rise in silicosis diagnoses in engineered stone workers, many of whom are young men. It follows recommendations from Safe Work Australia and is supported by the government of every Australian state and territory.
The ban will significantly reduce the number of people affected by silicosis and ensure local businesses provide a safe work environment.
What does the ban mean for me?
Everyone has an important role to play in protecting workers and the community. The ban is the most effective way to prevent workers from contracting silicosis.
Information for workers and businesses
The engineered stone ban is in place to ensure workers and businesses can continue their jobs safely.
There is no cure for silicosis and it is important to keep your community safe by following the relevant work health and safety laws.
You are no longer allowed to manufacture, supply, process or install any new engineered stone benchtops, panels or slabs. However, you can carry out minor work or removals on any engineered stone products that are already installed.
If you work with engineered stone you must reduce the risk of exposure to silica dust by following your state or territory’s work health and safety regulations.
Each state and territory has made specific changes to their work health and safety laws.
They may have a transition period for contracts entered on or before 31 December 2023. This would allow certain work to continue until 31 December 2024.
The Australian Government will also ban the importation of engineered stone benchtops, slabs and panels from 1 January 2025.
Visit the Safe Work Australia website below to learn more about the risks of silicosis and the safety measures you can take to prevent it.
Information for the community
Many homes and workplaces already have engineered stone installed. It is important to remember that engineered stone is safe once installed as long as it is not disturbed.
If you have engineered stone that needs to be altered or removed, do not do it yourself. Instead, contact a qualified tradesperson. They will be able to handle the engineered stone in the safest way possible.
You can still buy engineered stone products that are not going to be processed. These include products such as prefabricated sinks or garden ornaments.
Resources
You can find more information on the work health and safety laws most relevant to you by clicking on your state or territory below. If you need help with information that is only available in English, call the Translating and Interpreting Service (TIS National) on 131 450 and ask for an interpreter.
State and territory links
Engineered Stone Ban FAQs
Engineered Stone Ban CALD FAQs.
You can download this factsheet for a summary of all the information you need to know about the engineered stone ban.
For help with information in any language, call the Translating and Interpreting Service (TIS National) on 131 450 and ask for an interpreter.