Job sites and manufacturers across Victoria have been hit with a surprise inspection in sweeping enforcement of the country’s ban on engineered stone.
WorkSafe’s Silica Field Team has spent the last month cracking down hard on the killer silica substance, uncovering hundreds of illegal benchtops still in circulation across 52 industry sites.
Thanks to these rigorous checks, safety officers handed out 25 compliance notices and seized more than 65 samples suspected to be engineered stone, as well as other products branded as porcelain and sintered stone, to be tested for silica and resin content.
Nearly 1,000 non-disturbance notices were also applied to benchtops to curb the supply of banned engineered stone, ensuring they do not reach Victorian businesses and consumers.
WorkSafe Executive Director of Health and Safety Sam Jenkin emphasised the preparedness and ample notice given to importers, suppliers, and manufacturers before the ban.
“Most businesses are doing the right thing and are moving away from engineered stone, but unfortunately we have found a small number have continued to put workers at risk,” Jenkin remarked.
“WorkSafe will continue to closely monitor the stone supply and manufacturing industry so if you’re still working with engineered stone – expect a visit from our inspectors soon.”
The dangers surrounding engineered stone shouldn’t come as news to anyone in the industry, even half-paying attention to the headlines over the last 12 months. A cheap alternative widely used to replace stone benchtops and panels over the last 20 years, silica products have been closely linked to the debilitating respiratory disease silicosis.
According to most recent statistics from WorkSafe, Silicosis and other related respiratory diseases caused by silica particles have affected over 680 Victorian workers since 2018 and reportedly killed 20 workers who were exposed on the job.
With the dangers leading safety officials to implement a ban on the product earlier this year, tradie business and manufacturers handling silica were given months to fulfil contracts and destroy their supply until the states July 1st cut off date.
Hefty fines for post-ban products
Ben Wright, WorkSafe Manager of Earth Resources and Silica, said that two duty holders have already been referred for investigation for allegedly supplying and processing engineered stone products post-ban and warned others against doing the same.
“WorkSafe has acted quickly to intercept illegal products from entering Victoria, stopping further production and supply of stockpiled engineered stone,” Wright stated.
WorkSafe inspectors have also issued improvement notices to businesses lacking necessary hazard control statements or information on the silica content of alternative products. The regulations banning engineered stone apply to all Victorian employers, with potential prosecution and significant fines for those who flout the ban.
An exception to the ban allows for the removal, repair, or modification of engineered stone installations predating 1 July, provided stringent control measures are in place.
WorkSafe is also actively educating the construction industry about ongoing obligations to manage crystalline silica dust, with inspectors offering guidance to 204 residential and commercial builders recently.
