Safe Work Australia releases more information on upcoming ban on engineered stone

Safe Work Australia Releases More Information on Upcoming Ban on Engineered Stone

Safe Work Australia has confirmed further details on the engineered stone ban, clarifying which products fall under prohibition and which remain exempt. On 22nd March 2024, WHS ministers held a meeting to address draft amendments to the model WHS regulations, with an objective of enforcing a ban on engineered stone.

Scope of the Engineered Stone Ban

Safe Work Australia said WHS ministers unanimously agreed that the ban would apply to engineered stone benchtops, panels, and slabs. This decision reflects growing concern among health and safety professionals regarding exposure risks linked to these materials.

For businesses managing procurement or installation of stone products, understanding this scope is essential to remaining compliant under the updated safe work method statements framework.

Exclusions for Finished Products

"In making their decision, WHS ministers also agreed that finished engineered stone products (such as jewellery, garden ornaments, sculptures, kitchen sinks) which do not require processing or modification would be excluded from the ban," Safe Work Australia said.

This exclusion means certain finished stone products, where no cutting or shaping occurs onsite, sit outside the ban's requirements — an important distinction for suppliers and installers alike.

Transitional Arrangements for Existing Contracts

"Under the transitional arrangements, WHS ministers agreed that work involving the supply, installation or processing of engineered stone benchtops, panels and slabs between 1 July 2024 and 31 December 2024 are to be exempt from the prohibition if the work is carried out under, or for the purposes of, a contract entered into on or before 31 December 2023."

These transitional provisions give businesses time to adjust operations, source alternative products, and update internal safety practices before full enforcement takes hold across all WHS jurisdictions.

Why This Matters for Workplace Health and Safety

Engineered stone products have been linked to serious respiratory illness among workers involved in cutting, grinding, and polishing tasks. This latest guidance from Safe Work Australia strengthens national efforts to protect health outcomes across construction and manufacturing sectors.

Safety professionals should review current procurement contracts against these WHS timeframes to confirm whether ongoing projects qualify for exemption. For further context on related developments, see how Safe Work Australia welcomes engineered stone ban and how the regulator later released new guidelines to help enforce the ban on engineered stone.

Businesses working with alternative stone materials should also consult relevant safe work documentation, including Stone (Mechanical Fixing) SWMS and Stone Pitching Safe Work Method Statement resources, to maintain compliant site practices during this transition period.

Learn more here.