Engineered stone ban
The national ban on the use of engineered stone has commenced in the Northern Territory. From 1 July 2024 the manufacturing, supply, processing or installation of engineered stone benchtops, panels and slabs will not be allowed, unless it is work covered by the six month transition period.
The ban will also not apply to the removal, repair, minor modification or disposal of engineered stone benchtops panels and slabs installed prior to the ban (legacy engineered stone).
The ban comes after Work Health and Safety Ministers unanimously agreed last year to amend the model work health and safety (WHS) laws due to the unacceptable health risks of working with engineered stone.
Further information on the engineered stone ban is available in the guide Engineered stone prohibition guidance for PCBU.
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What is engineered stone?
Under the work health and safety laws, products that contain crystalline silica and are created by combining natural stone materials with other chemical constituents such as water, resins or pigments and then harden are considered engineered stone.
The following products are not considered engineered stone:
- Concrete and cement products
- Bricks, pavers and other similar blocks
- Ceramic wall and floor tiles
- Roof tiles
- Grout, mortar and render
- Plasterboard
- Porcelain and sintered stone products that do not contain resin.
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What are the risks?
Compared to natural stone, engineered stone often has significantly higher crystalline silica content resulting in the generation of dust containing more respirable crystalline silica when undergoing mechanical processes such as crushing, cutting, drilling, grinding, sawing or polishing.
Inhaling respirable crystalline silica causes inflammation and scarring of the lung tissue that reduces the lungs’ ability to take in oxygen. This serious lung disease, known as silicosis, is irreversible and can be fatal.
Engineered stone workers make up a disproportionate number of silicosis cases and in these cases the silicosis is associated with a shorter duration of exposure to silica, faster disease progression and higher mortality.
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Key definitions
Legacy engineered stone includes any engineered stone benchtop, panel, or slab that is already installed and, for the purposes of disposal, includes engineered stone stocks that were not installed prior to the prohibition.
Processing, in relation to legacy engineered stone, means using a power tool or other mechanical plant (e.g., a crusher) to crush, cut, grind, trim, sand, abrasive polish or drill the stone.
Transition period
A six month transitional period has commenced to allow for contracts entered into before 31 December 2023 to be completed.
In this period any work during the manufacturing, supply, processing, and installation of engineered stone benchtops, panels and slabs must be controlled, and these works must be completed by 31 December 2024.
Permitted work on legacy engineered stone
Legacy engineered stone refers to engineered stone benchtops panels and slabs installed prior to the ban. The ban will not apply to the following permitted work on legacy engineered stone:
- removal
- repair
- minor modification
- disposal.
Permitted work with legacy engineered stone must be controlled using the process below.
Controlled work
All workers at risk of respirable crystalline silica exposure due to the processing of engineered stone must be provided with and wear respiratory protective equipment, and one of the following controls to supress dust must be used:
- a water suppression (wet cutting) system
- an on-tool dust extraction system, or
- local exhaust ventilation system.
Further information on controlled work is in the Guide to working with crystalline silica and crystalline silica containing products.
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New notification requirements
The national ban on engineered stone introduced new notification requirements for PCBUs who proposes to carry out permitted work to remove, dispose of, repair or make minor modifications to legacy engineered stone.
A PCBU is required to notify NT WorkSafe if the PCBU proposes to carry out permitted work with legacy engineered stone in Northern Territory. Use the form Notification of permitted work with legacy engineered stone to submit this notification.
Written notification is also required every 12 months, or when a PCBU becomes aware the information provided in the previous notification has changed. Use the form Notification of change in information or continued permitted work with legacy engineered-stone to submit this notification.
Further information on the new working with legacy engineered stone notification requirements is available on the notify NT WorkSafe section of this website.
Additional changes proposed for 1 September 2024
Nationally, the definition of controlled processing is proposed to change on 1 September 2024. Information on these changes will be published on the NT WorkSafe website closer to the date.
Related Forms and Resources
| Forms |
|---|
| Notification of change in information or continued permitted work with legacy engineered stone New |
| Notification of permitted work with legacy engineered stone New |
| Guides |
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| Engineered stone prohibition guidance for PCBU New |
| Guide to working with crystalline silica and crystalline silica containing products New |