Charges filed against VIC bathroom wholesaler for contravening engineered stone prohibition

Charges Filed Against VIC Bathroom Wholesaler for Contravening Engineered Stone Prohibition

A bathroom wholesaler, Fienza Pty Ltd, faces charges for purported violations of Victoria's ban on the processing and distribution of engineered stone. This news marks a significant enforcement milestone for Victoria's occupational health and safety framework.

The company faces one charge pursuant to regulation 319Y (b) of the Occupational Health and Safety Regulations for instructing or permitting an employee under their authority to undertake an engineered stone procedure.

What WorkSafe Alleges

WorkSafe alleges that in July 2024, the bathroom wholesaler allowed or directed a worker to use machinery to cut holes in engineered stone benchtops at its Epping warehouse. Cutting benchtops without proper controls exposes personnel to airborne hazards that Victoria's regulations were specifically designed to eliminate.

Background on Victoria's Engineered Stone Ban

New rules in Victoria prohibiting work related to manufacturing, supplying, processing, or installing engineered stone benchtops, panels, and slabs came into force on 1 July 2024. These OHS regulations reflect a broader push across Australia to protect tradespeople from occupational lung disease linked to engineered stone dust.

Read our earlier coverage on the WorkSafe reminder about engineered stone prohibition and the government support for the prohibition on engineered stone imports for further context on how this ban developed.

First Charges Under the New Rules

For the first time, WorkSafe has charged an entity under recently established OHS rules governing engineered stone. This enforcement action sends a clear message to employers across Victoria about compliance expectations under current health and safety obligations.

Businesses handling stone benchtops should review their compliance obligations closely. Our Stone Fabricating SWMS and related Stone Cladding SWMS resources offer guidance on managing risks tied to stone processing tasks, though engineered stone work itself remains prohibited under current OHS rules.

Why This Matters for Safety Professionals

This case demonstrates how seriously Victoria treats breaches of its engineered stone ban. Employers in construction, manufacturing, and related trades should treat this news as a reminder to audit workplace procedures and ensure staff aren't instructed to perform prohibited tasks.

• Review equipment maintenance procedures — see our SOP for Equipment Maintenance for related guidance.
• Ensure chemical handling protocols align with current standards via our SOP for Chemical Handling & Storage.
• Confirm driver-related safety documentation is current, referencing the OHS Driver's Manual (Vic).

For related enforcement news, see our coverage of charges filed against a VIC fruit grower following a fatal incident in a cool storage room, which highlights WorkSafe's broader commitment to workplace health and safety enforcement.

For more information, visit the WorkSafe Victoria website.