Safe Work Australia (SWA) is consulting on the engineered stone ban to inform a review of its operation.
Consultation information
The landmark engineered stone ban came into effect on 1 July 2024 helping to protect Australian workers from exposure to respirable crystalline silica (RCS).
The Amendment (Engineered Stone) 2024 makes it an offence for a person conducting a business or undertaking (PCBU) to carry out, or to direct or allow a worker to carry out, work involving the manufacture, supply, processing or installation of engineered stone benchtops, panels or slabs. These amendments have been implemented by all jurisdictions across Australia. You can read more about the engineered stone ban here.
Work health and safety (WHS) ministers have tasked Safe Work Australia to review the operation of the engineered stone ban to ensure it is operating effectively, and to consider health risks posed to workers from processing benchtops, panels and slabs made from alternative products.
Safe Work Australia is seeking your feedback on the operation of the engineered stone ban to inform the review. The information provided in submissions will inform a review report to WHS ministers on the effectiveness of the engineered stone ban.
Making a submission
Submissions are sought by 11:59 pm (AEDT) on Monday 31 March 2025. You can respond through the online questionnaire, upload a submission, or both.
You can decide how or if your submission is published on the Consultation Hub by choosing from the following options:
submission published with your name, your organisation’s name, or a pseudonym
submission published anonymously, or
submission not published.
Demographic data will be collected as part of making a submission to this consultation. You may choose to provide your contact details (including your name and contact number or email) for SWA to contact you to clarify your feedback, if required. This information will not be published on the Consultation Hub.
For further information, contact the Engineered Stone Ban Review team at silicapolicy@swa.gov.au