What the engineered stone ban means for workplaces, contractors and silica safety
Australia’s engineered stone ban is one of the most significant workplace health and safety changes affecting construction, renovation, stone fabrication and related trades.
The ban was introduced because engineered stone products can contain high levels of crystalline silica. When engineered stone is cut, ground, drilled or polished, fine silica dust can be released into the air. Breathing this dust can cause serious lung disease including silicosis.
From 1 July 2024, the manufacture, supply, processing and installation of engineered stone benchtops, panels and slabs was prohibited under WHS laws in Australian jurisdictions. From 1 January 2025, engineered stone benchtops, panels and slabs also became prohibited imports under Commonwealth customs rules.
For businesses, the ban is not only about stopping the use of a particular product. It is also a reminder that silica safety depends on clear training, proper controls, contractor communication, documentation and records.
INDUCT FOR WORK helps businesses manage these supporting processes online. Organisations can deliver safety inductions, collect acknowledgements, manage contractor forms, support incident reporting and keep training records in one platform.
INDUCT FOR WORK also helps businesses support a stronger safety culture by making important safety information easier to share and track. For companies that need to prepare silica-related training quickly, rapid induction setup can help get induction content ready sooner.
What is engineered stone?
Engineered stone is a manufactured product commonly used for benchtops, panels and slabs.
It is often made by combining crushed stone with resin, pigments and other materials. In many cases, engineered stone has contained high levels of crystalline silica.
The issue is not usually the installed benchtop sitting untouched in a kitchen or workplace. The major danger is created when the material is processed.
Processing may include:
- cutting
- grinding
- trimming
- drilling
- sanding
- polishing
- crushing
- removing
- modifying
- repairing
These activities can release respirable crystalline silica dust. This dust is very fine and can be breathed deep into the lungs.
Workers who may be exposed include:
- stonemasons
- kitchen installers
- builders
- demolition workers
- renovation contractors
- maintenance workers
- labourers
- apprentices
- supervisors
- cleaners working around dust
- waste removal contractors
The engineered stone ban was introduced because workers in these industries faced unacceptable health risks from silica dust exposure.
Why Australia banned engineered stone
Australia’s engineered stone ban followed years of concern about silicosis and silica-related disease among workers.
Silicosis is a serious lung disease caused by breathing respirable crystalline silica dust. It can be disabling and may continue to worsen even after exposure stops.
Workers exposed to silica dust may also face increased risk of other serious health problems.
The key issue with engineered stone is that it can contain very high levels of crystalline silica compared with many natural stone products. When processed without effective controls, the dust can place workers at serious risk.
The ban is designed to remove a major source of silica exposure from the workplace.
Safe Work Australia has continued to publish engineered stone guidance and confirmed that the import prohibition was designed to complement the WHS prohibition already applying to engineered stone work.
Where the engineered stone ban matters most
The engineered stone ban affects a wide range of industries and work settings.
It is especially relevant for:
- stone fabrication businesses
- kitchen renovation companies
- builders
- cabinetmakers
- demolition contractors
- maintenance teams
- construction companies
- bathroom renovation businesses
- property maintenance providers
- shopping centre fit-out contractors
- retail fit-out teams
- commercial builders
- residential builders
- designers and project managers
- suppliers and importers
- employers managing contractors who may disturb old engineered stone
The ban does not remove the need for silica safety training. Many workplaces still use materials that can contain crystalline silica, including concrete, bricks, tiles, pavers, mortar, grout, render and some alternative benchtop materials.
That means businesses still need to train workers on dust controls, safe work methods and reporting requirements.
Why silica safety still falls through the cracks
The engineered stone ban has reduced one major risk, but silica exposure has not disappeared from Australian worksites.
Many workers still cut, drill, grind or disturb materials that may contain crystalline silica. Contractors may move between sites. Renovation workers may encounter older installed materials. Supervisors may assume everyone understands the new rules when that is not always the case.
INDUCT FOR WORK helps businesses make silica safety information easier to deliver and record.
It can help when:
- contractors arrive without clear silica safety instructions
- workers are unsure what the engineered stone ban covers
- older installed materials need removal or repair
- dust control procedures are explained verbally but not recorded
- SWMS acknowledgements are missed
- workers do not know how to report unsafe dust exposure
- training records are stored in paper folders
- supervisors are unsure who has completed silica training
- contractors need to upload licences, permits or safety documents
- new workers need a simple explanation of silica risk
- refresher training is needed after procedure changes
Silica safety works best when important information is not left to memory. That is why workers and contractors need clear instructions, practical controls and records that can be checked later.
What changed from 1 July 2024?
From 1 July 2024, Australian WHS jurisdictions began prohibiting work involving the manufacture, supply, processing and installation of engineered stone benchtops, panels and slabs.
This means businesses cannot continue ordinary engineered stone work as though nothing changed.
The ban targets engineered stone benchtops, panels and slabs. Safe Work Australia notes that some products are excluded from the ban, including concrete and cement products, bricks, pavers, ceramic wall and floor tiles, roof tiles, grout, mortar, render and plasterboard. It also identifies sintered stone and porcelain products as excluded where they do not contain resin.
Businesses should always check the current guidance from their state or territory WHS regulator before carrying out any work involving engineered stone or silica-containing materials.
What changed from 1 January 2025?
From 1 January 2025, engineered stone benchtops, panels and slabs became prohibited imports under the Customs (Prohibited Imports) Regulations 1956.
This import ban was introduced to support the workplace ban already in place.
For businesses, this means imported engineered stone benchtops, panels and slabs are no longer a lawful way to continue supplying these products into Australia.
The import ban also helps prevent prohibited engineered stone from entering the market under old supply arrangements or overseas ordering.
Can work still be done on already installed engineered stone?
In some cases, work may still need to be done on engineered stone that was installed before the ban.
This may include removal, repair, minor modification or disposal. However, this type of work may be subject to strict rules, notification requirements and control measures.
The exact requirements can vary by state or territory. Businesses should check the regulator guidance that applies where the work is being performed.
A safe process may involve:
- checking whether the material is engineered stone
- confirming whether the proposed work is allowed
- notifying the regulator where required
- preparing a suitable SWMS
- using effective dust controls
- preventing dry cutting
- using respiratory protective equipment where required
- restricting access to the work area
- managing waste safely
- keeping records
- training workers before work begins
Businesses should not assume that old installed stone can be handled casually. The same dust risks may still exist when the material is disturbed.
Engineered stone alternatives still need silica controls
The engineered stone ban does not mean all silica risk has disappeared.
Many alternative materials may still contain crystalline silica. Construction and renovation work can also involve cutting or grinding concrete, bricks, tiles, mortar, pavers and other materials.
Safe Work Australia’s 2026 implementation plan notes continued work around labelling, consumer awareness, regulator advice and monitoring the long-term effectiveness of the prohibition.
This matters because businesses may shift to substitute products and assume they are automatically safe.
A safer approach is to ask:
- Does the material contain crystalline silica?
- Will the work create dust?
- Can cutting or processing be avoided?
- Are wet methods or extraction controls required?
- Do workers need respiratory protection?
- Has the task been risk assessed?
- Have workers been trained?
- Are contractors following the same rules?
- Are records being kept?
The ban removes one high-risk product category, but dust control remains important across many trades.
Silica safety training for workers
Workers need simple and practical training on silica dust.
A silica safety induction may explain:
- what respirable crystalline silica is
- why engineered stone was banned
- which materials may contain silica
- which work tasks create dust
- why dry cutting is dangerous
- what controls must be used
- how exclusion zones work
- what PPE may be required
- how to report unsafe work
- what to do if controls fail
- who to speak to before starting uncertain work
With online training, businesses can deliver silica safety information consistently across workers, contractors and sites.
This is especially useful when teams are spread across different projects or when contractors need to receive information before arriving.
Contractor communication after the engineered stone ban
Contractors are often the people most likely to encounter silica-related tasks on construction, renovation and maintenance projects.
They may be asked to remove old benchtops, modify surfaces, cut tiles, drill concrete or work around dust-producing tasks.
A contractor induction can help businesses communicate site requirements before work begins.
Contractor induction content may include:
- engineered stone ban information
- silica dust risk
- prohibited work
- dust control requirements
- SWMS requirements
- site access rules
- exclusion zones
- waste handling
- incident and hazard reporting
- PPE requirements
- supervisor contact details
- document upload requirements
Contractors should not rely only on a quick verbal warning when they arrive on site. If silica risk is present, the information should be clear, consistent and recorded.
Forms, acknowledgements and SWMS records
Silica-related work often involves documents and records.
These may include:
- SWMS documents
- permits
- contractor declarations
- licence uploads
- risk assessments
- dust control checklists
- training acknowledgements
- respiratory protection checks
- health monitoring records where required
- waste disposal records
- incident and hazard reports
With custom forms and digital signatures, businesses can collect acknowledgements and declarations online.
This helps reduce paper handling and keeps important records connected to the right worker, contractor or task.
For example, a business may require a contractor to acknowledge silica rules, upload a SWMS and confirm that dust controls will be followed before arriving on site.
Incident and hazard reporting for silica exposure
Silica-related hazards should be reported early.
Workers should know how to report:
- uncontrolled dust
- dry cutting
- missing extraction
- failed wet cutting controls
- damaged respiratory protection
- unclear material information
- unsafe cleaning methods
- poor waste handling
- untrained workers performing dusty tasks
- dust spreading outside the work area
- contractors ignoring site requirements
INDUCT FOR WORK supports incident reporting so businesses can capture hazards, incidents and near misses online.
Early reporting helps managers respond before a serious exposure occurs.
Record keeping after the engineered stone ban
Record keeping is important because silica safety depends on evidence.
Businesses may need to confirm:
- who completed silica safety training
- which contractor received site rules
- which SWMS was submitted
- who acknowledged the engineered stone ban
- when a form was completed
- which documents were uploaded
- whether a hazard was reported
- what corrective action was taken
- which workers still need refresher training
INDUCT FOR WORK helps improve record keeping by keeping induction records, forms, certificates and acknowledgements online.
Good records do not replace safe work controls. They support better management and make it easier to confirm what has been communicated.
Avoiding Silicosis
If you want more background on the health issue behind the engineered stone ban, visit our article on Avoiding Silicosis.
That article explains what silicosis is, which workers may be at risk and why prevention matters.
Why use INDUCT FOR WORK instead of managing silica training manually?
In many workplaces manual training and paper records can be difficult to manage, especially when workers and contractors move between sites.
A supervisor may explain the rules verbally. A contractor may email a SWMS. A worker may sign a paper acknowledgement. Later, the business may struggle to find the exact record when it is needed.
INDUCT FOR WORK gives businesses a more organised way to manage silica-related training and documentation.
This helps organisations:
- deliver consistent safety training
- assign refresher training
- collect contractor documents
- capture acknowledgements
- manage SWMS-related forms
- support incident and hazard reporting
- keep records in one platform
- track who has completed training
- reduce repeated manual follow-up
- retrieve records more easily
Silica safety needs practical controls on site. INDUCT FOR WORK supports those controls by making training, forms and records easier to manage.
From scattered silica paperwork to a cleaner online process
| Manual Silica Safety Process | INDUCT FOR WORK |
|---|---|
| Silica rules explained verbally | Training can be delivered online |
| Paper acknowledgements stored in folders | Acknowledgements can be stored with user records |
| Contractors email SWMS documents | Documents can be uploaded online |
| Completion is tracked manually | Completion status can be checked online |
| Hazard reports are delayed or missed | Reports can be submitted online |
| Refresher training is easy to forget | Training can be reassigned when needed |
| Records are spread across emails and folders | Records are kept in one platform |
| Contractors receive different instructions | Site information can be assigned consistently |
| Managers rely on memory | Managers can review reports and records |
| Audit preparation takes longer | Records are easier to retrieve |
Practical steps for businesses after the engineered stone ban
The engineered stone ban should prompt businesses to review how they manage silica risk more broadly.
Review current work activities
Check whether workers or contractors perform tasks involving crystalline silica, including cutting, drilling, grinding or demolition.
Confirm engineered stone is not being used unlawfully
Make sure no prohibited engineered stone benchtops, panels or slabs are being manufactured, supplied, processed, installed or imported.
Check state and territory guidance
Regulator requirements may vary, especially for work on already installed engineered stone.
Update induction content
Include clear information about the engineered stone ban, silica dust risk and site rules.
Train workers and contractors
Do not assume experienced workers already know the updated requirements.
Collect acknowledgements
Ask workers and contractors to acknowledge important silica-related procedures where appropriate.
Review SWMS documents
Make sure high-risk tasks include proper controls and current information.
Improve hazard reporting
Make it easy for workers to report uncontrolled dust, unsafe cutting or missing controls.
Keep records together
Store training, forms, acknowledgements, SWMS documents and reports where they can be found later.
Start managing silica safety training and records online
Australia’s engineered stone ban has changed how construction, renovation and stone-related businesses need to think about silica risk.
However, the ban removes only one high-risk product category. Silica safety still depends on clear training, practical controls, contractor communication, reporting and record keeping.
INDUCT FOR WORK helps businesses deliver safety inductions, collect forms, manage contractor records, capture acknowledgements, support incident reporting and keep records in one online platform.
Whether your business manages construction workers, contractors, maintenance teams or renovation projects, INDUCT FOR WORK can help you communicate important silica safety information more clearly.
Give your team a better way to manage silica-related training, documents and records online.
Frequently asked questions
Australia’s WHS ban on manufacturing, supplying, processing and installing engineered stone benchtops, panels and slabs started from 1 July 2024 in Australian jurisdictions. The import ban for engineered stone benchtops, panels and slabs started from 1 January 2025.
Engineered stone was banned because processing it can create respirable crystalline silica dust, which can cause serious lung disease including silicosis.
No. Many other materials can still contain crystalline silica, including concrete, bricks, tiles, pavers, mortar, grout and render. Workers may still need silica safety training and dust controls.
Some work on already installed engineered stone may be allowed in limited circumstances, such as removal, repair or disposal. Businesses should check the current rules from the relevant state or territory WHS regulator before starting work.
Yes. Contractors who may cut, drill, grind, remove or work around silica-containing materials should receive clear site-specific training and instructions before work begins.
Useful records may include induction completion, SWMS documents, acknowledgements, permits, dust control checklists, hazard reports, incident reports and contractor documents.
Yes. INDUCT FOR WORK can help businesses manage online training, acknowledgements, forms, contractor records, incident reports and completion records.
Start a free trial or book a demo to see how INDUCT FOR WORK can support your workplace processes.
Author: Ari Parz
Published: 13/12/2024
Last edited: 02/05/2026
