WorkSafe issues reminder about engineered stone prohibition

WorkSafe Issues Reminder About Engineered Stone Prohibition

WorkSafe reminds the industry that processing engineered stone slabs is banned, after a business was discovered unlawfully manufacturing the material. This case highlights why employers must continue complying with the state's strict engineered stone requirements to protect worker health and prevent hazardous exposure on site.

What Happened

WorkSafe said inspectors recently conducted a visit to a carpentry workshop where employees were engaged in construction of an entertainment unit featuring an engineered stone surface. Use, supply or manufacture of engineered stone benchtops, panels and slabs is prohibited under current regulations, regardless of whether the material forms part of legacy engineered stone stock held before the ban commenced.

Stone had been processed the previous day, and the factory was engaged in final stages of cabinet fabrication when inspectors arrived. Products of this nature pose serious health risks to workers if handled outside approved controls, which is why the prohibition remains a top safety priority for WorkSafe.

Enforcement Action Taken

Business owners received a prohibition notice that necessitated disposal of the stone slab, along with a requirement to provide evidence of such disposal to WorkSafe. This enforcement step reinforces that safety compliance is non-negotiable for businesses still holding engineered stone products.

• Immediate cessation of engineered stone processing activities
• Mandatory disposal of remaining engineered stone slabs
• Evidence of disposal submitted to WorkSafe for verification

Why This Matters for Safety

Engineered stone contains materials linked to serious respiratory illness, so Australia is banning its manufacture, supply and installation nationwide to safeguard health outcomes for tradespeople. Businesses that ignore these rules put employee safety, along with their own legal standing, at significant risk.

For safety professionals overseeing construction and fabrication sites, this incident serves as a timely reminder to review workplace practices against current prohibition requirements. Our WorkSafe campaign raising awareness about engineered stone prohibition offers further context on how regulators are communicating these safety expectations to industry.

Supporting Compliant Practices

Businesses still managing legacy materials or transitioning away from engineered stone products should ensure documentation and safe work practices reflect current obligations. Reviewing resources such as our Stone Fabricating SWMS and Stone Cladding SWMS can help teams understand what controls previously applied before the prohibition took effect.

Companies handling other stone-related tasks, including cutting operations, may also find our Stone Cutting Rock Saw Quarry resource useful for understanding historical safety approaches in this sector.

Staying Informed

WorkSafe continues monitoring businesses across the state to ensure the engineered stone ban is upheld consistently. For readers wanting broader context on similar regulator actions, our article on the NT WorkSafe GHS 7 implementation reminder and our piece covering the WorkSafe mobile plant safety reminder demonstrate how frequently regulators issue guidance to keep industry aligned with evolving requirements.

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