NSW Government issues more than 100 improvement notices to enforce prohibition of engineered stone

NSW Government Issues More Than 100 Improvement Notices to Enforce Prohibition of Engineered Stone

The NSW Government has intensified efforts to safeguard lives by issuing improvement notices to uphold the prohibition on engineered stone across workplaces statewide.

According to the State Government, during the initial two months following the commencement of inspections, the newly established Silica Compliance Team at SafeWork NSW carried out 118 inspections. This resulted in 125 improvement notices and seven prohibition notices being issued across various workplaces handling manufactured stone.

Southwest Sydney Inspection Blitz

Towards the end of October, inspectors carried out more than 36 inspections in Southwest Sydney, leading to 47 improvement notices along with five prohibition notices. Findings from this campaign echo results from a related safety compliance campaign that issued over 500 non-compliance notices across NSW workplaces.

Inspectors focused on three key areas during workplace visits:

• Dry cutting techniques used on engineered stone and other silica-containing materials
• Correct application of respiratory protection equipment for workers exposed to silica dust
• Establishment of health monitoring measures for employees at risk of crystalline silica exposure

SafeWork NSW's Zero-Tolerance Approach

Head of SafeWork NSW, Trent Curtin, said it is unacceptable for anyone to experience health risks stemming from their work environment.

"I'm pleased to see our Inspectors out and about educating and enforcing the new silica regulations. They will continue their zero-tolerance approach to protecting workers' lives from being endangered through exposure to deadly crystalline silica dust," Curtin said.

"In NSW, as the SafeWork NSW campaign goes, it's the Safe Way or No Way."

What This Means for Construction and Manufacturing Businesses

Businesses operating in construction, stone fabrication, and related trades across Australia should review their current practices against updated workplace health and safety obligations. Employers handling engineered stone products, whether prohibited or permitted for limited use, must ensure compliance measures address dry cutting restrictions, respiratory protection, and ongoing health surveillance.

Companies previously relying on stone fabricating safe work method statements or stone cladding SWMS should confirm these documents reflect current prohibition requirements, since outdated procedures may no longer satisfy safety obligations under the new regulatory framework.

For further context on how other jurisdictions are responding to the engineered stone ban, read our coverage of WorkSafe's reminder about engineered stone prohibition.

Find the complete story here.