Safe Work Australia releases new guidelines to help enforce the ban on engineered stone

Safe Work Australia Releases New Guidelines to Help Enforce the Ban on Engineered Stone

Safe Work Australia has published new guidance to support persons conducting a business or undertaking (PCBUs) in understanding their obligations concerning health and safety ahead of the upcoming ban on engineered stone. This ban is scheduled to come into force on 1 July 2024.

What the New Guidance Covers

According to Safe Work Australia, the guide offers PCBUs in-depth details on the prohibition, including how it applies to businesses handling engineered stone products. The resource forms part of a broader effort to protect worker safety across industries where crystalline silica exposure remains a significant hazardous risk.

Safe Work Australia has also updated two existing resources to incorporate details regarding the engineered stone ban:

• The National Exemption Framework – Guide for those applying for exemptions, which explains circumstances under which an exemption may apply
• The National guide for working with crystalline silica and products containing crystalline silica, which addresses ongoing health risks linked to silica dust

Why This Guidance Matters for Safety Professionals

Silica-related illnesses remain a serious concern for construction and manufacturing sectors, and this updated guidance gives businesses clearer direction on managing hazardous exposure risks. Safety teams responsible for compliance should review these resources closely to ensure their practices align with national requirements before the ban takes effect.

For organisations seeking additional support, SafetyDocs has previously reported on related developments, including when Safe Work Australia released more information on the upcoming ban on engineered stone, and when Safe Work Australia welcomed the engineered stone ban. Businesses can also read about how Safe Work Australia invited comments on the effectiveness of the engineered stone ban.

Practical Support for Businesses

PCBUs preparing for compliance may also benefit from reviewing broader documentation frameworks, such as Safe Work Method Statements (SWMS), which provide structured support for managing risk across various stone-related tasks. Relevant examples include the Stone (Mechanical Fixing) SWMS and the Stone Pitching Safe Work Method Statement, both of which help businesses document safe practices when working with stone materials.

Rigging tasks associated with stone handling also carry inherent risk, and businesses can reference the Rigging Safe Work Procedure for further guidance on safe rigging practices.

Building a Culture of National Safety Awareness

This guidance arrives as part of a wider national conversation around workplace safety, reinforced through initiatives such as National Safe Work Month, which encourages businesses to prioritise safety improvements year-round.

Safe Work Australia's continued focus on silica-related hazardous exposure reflects growing recognition of the long-term health impacts associated with crystalline silica dust, and the updated guide gives PCBUs practical tools to support safer transitions ahead of the engineered stone ban.

Learn more here.