In July 2024, Victoria became the first Australian state to implement a comprehensive ban on engineered stone (also called composite stone or artificial stone). Other states have since introduced or are preparing similar restrictions. Whilst the ban was a crucial public health response to an epidemic of accelerated silicosis among stone workers, it has created new compliance and monitoring challenges for businesses transitioning to alternative materials.
This guide explains the ban, its scope, the materials now being used instead, and most importantly—how your dust monitoring obligations have evolved.
Why the Ban? The Engineered Stone Epidemic
Engineered stone products are composed of approximately 90–95% crystalline silica (typically quartz), bound with polyester or epoxy resin. Workers fabricating engineered stone—cutting, polishing, grinding, and finishing—inhale enormous quantities of RCS. The industry saw an unprecedented number of accelerated silicosis cases, with workers developing severe lung disease in their 30s and 40s after just 5–15 years of exposure.
The silica content of engineered stone is far higher than natural stone, and the manufacturing process (dry cutting) generates very fine dust clouds. For comparison, natural granite contains 25–35% quartz; natural quartzite 60–90%. The difference in silica concentration meant workers on engineered stone faced dramatically elevated risk.
Public health authorities in Australia recognised the crisis and acted. The ban aims to eliminate this specific risk by stopping new use of engineered stone in Australia, though stocks and legacy products remain an issue in some cases.
Ban Scope and Timeline
Victoria (effective 1 July 2024): Ban on manufacture, supply, and use of engineered stone benchtops.
New South Wales, Queensland, South Australia, and Western Australia: All have announced or are implementing similar bans, with most taking effect in 2024–2025.
ACT and Northern Territory: Regulatory action underway.
The ban applies to benchtops and architectural cladding. Some exemptions exist for certain industrial applications, but these are narrow.
The Stone Industry Now: Alternative Materials and Their Silica Content
With engineered stone off the table, the stone industry has transitioned to:
Natural Granite
- Typical silica (quartz) content: 25–35%
- Significantly lower than engineered stone but still a notable silica source
- Fabrication involves wet and dry cutting, grinding, and polishing
- Dust generation is less intense than engineered stone, but still hazardous
- Requires ongoing monitoring and control
Natural Quartzite
- Typical silica content: 60–90% quartz (higher than granite, approaching engineered stone risk)
- Extremely hard stone; requires high-speed cutting and grinding
- WARNING: Quartzite carries a silica risk nearly as high as engineered stone. Some workers and employers are not aware of this and treat quartzite as “safe”—it is not
- Demands rigorous dust control and frequent monitoring
Sintered Stone and Porcelain Slabs
- Sintered stone: typically 50–65% silica but engineered with a more stable matrix
- Porcelain: 40–60% silica
- Newer alternatives in the market, still being assessed for occupational health impact
- Some processes are wet-based, reducing dust generation
- Monitoring is essential whilst long-term health data accumulates
Ceramic and Glass Products
- Lower silica content than stone alternatives
- Growing market for worktops, cladding
- Different dust profile; less respiratory hazard but other hazards may apply
Critical Point: The Ban Did Not Eliminate Silica Risk
Many businesses have assumed that switching from engineered stone to natural alternatives means “the problem is solved.” This is a dangerous misconception.
Workers fabricating granite, quartzite, sintered stone, or even porcelain are still exposed to respirable crystalline silica. The risk is lower than engineered stone, but remains real. Workers with a history of high exposure (former engineered stone workers now on natural stone or quartzite) may face compounded risk from legacy exposure.
Silicosis has a long latency period. Workers exposed to engineered stone between 2010 and 2024 may not show symptoms for years. If they are then exposed to high-silica alternatives like quartzite, disease progression accelerates.
Dust Monitoring Obligations for Post-Ban Stone Industry
Your monitoring obligations have not disappeared—they have evolved:
1. Hazard Assessment and Monitoring Design
You must identify which materials you’re now working with and assess their silica content. For natural stone, obtain documentation from suppliers confirming silica percentages. Design your monitoring program around the materials you’re actually using:
- Granite fabrication: Baseline monitoring every 6–12 months for primary cutters and grinders; more frequent if results approach the WES
- Quartzite fabrication: Monitor as high-risk (every 3–6 months); treat with the same rigour as you would have for engineered stone
- Sintered stone and porcelain: Monitor at least annually until industry health data is more robust; follow manufacturer guidance
2. Specific Worker Groups
Former engineered stone workers require particular attention:
– Health monitoring (occupational health assessments) is essential; baseline chest X-rays and lung function if not already done
– Air monitoring should be at the more frequent end of the scale (every 3–6 months)
– Consider job roles that minimise exposure, rotation away from high-dust tasks, or temporary role modifications
– Ensure workers understand their exposure history and any health monitoring results
New entrants: Workers beginning stone fabrication now have lower exposure risk than the engineered stone generation, but this assumes proper controls are in place.
3. Control Measures Specific to New Materials
- Wet cutting: Use wet saws for stone cutting where possible (reduces airborne dust by 90%)
- Local exhaust ventilation: Ensure grinding stations and polishing areas have effective dust extraction
- Enclosure and containment: Where wet methods aren’t practical, enclosures with local ventilation are essential
- Respiratory protective equipment: As a last resort if engineering controls are insufficient; ensure fit-testing and ongoing compliance
4. Record Retention
All air monitoring results, health monitoring records, and control measure documentation must be retained for 30 years. This protects workers (and your business) in the event of future disease diagnosis or WHS investigation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: I’ve switched to natural stone fabrication. Do I still need to monitor for silica?
Yes, absolutely. Whilst natural granite contains less silica than engineered stone, it still poses a significant occupational health risk and requires monitoring. Your legal obligations under the WHS Act continue. Quartzite and some sintered stones carry almost as much risk as engineered stone and require equally rigorous programs.
Q: One of my workers previously worked on engineered stone at another company. What are my obligations?
You should obtain their employment and exposure history if possible. Recommend occupational health screening (baseline chest X-ray and lung function) and place them in your high-risk monitoring cohort (monitor every 3–6 months). Inform them of their exposure history and any results. Consider roles that minimise further exposure to high-silica materials.
Q: What if I’m still using leftover engineered stone stock?
Any remaining engineered stone material should be used sparingly and under strict controls: wet cutting only, maximum local exhaust ventilation, and very frequent monitoring (every 1–3 months). Be aware that possession or new importation of engineered stone may breach state legislation depending on your location. Check with your state WHS regulator.
Q: Does the ban apply to me if I’m in a state that hasn’t formally legislated it yet?
The ban is progressively rolling out across all Australian states. Even if your state hasn’t formally legislated, the occupational health evidence is the same: engineered stone poses extreme silica risk. Best practice is to treat engineered stone as unacceptable now, not to wait for legislation. Client demand and insurance considerations are also pushing industry away from engineered stone.
Q: How do I know the silica content of my new stone material?
Request safety data sheets (SDS) and material specifications from your stone supplier. Reputable suppliers will provide silica content percentages. If they cannot, obtain geological or laboratory analysis. Do not assume—verify. This is a critical input to your risk assessment and monitoring program design.
Q: What happens if I monitor quartzite and find high dust levels?
Quartzite is hard and dusty by nature. High dust levels are common. Implement engineering controls: wet cutting, enhanced local exhaust ventilation, enclosures, and job rotation. Re-monitor after controls are upgraded. If levels remain elevated, restrict the task, consider alternative materials, or increase RPE protocols. Document all actions and communicate results to workers.
Preparing Your Business for Post-Ban Compliance
- Audit your materials: Confirm the silica content and dust profile of everything you’re now using
- Design a baseline monitoring program: If you’ve switched materials recently, establish a baseline to understand your new exposure profile
- Review and upgrade controls: The controls you had for engineered stone (very rigorous) should mostly transfer, but verify they’re adequate for your new materials
- Health monitoring: Offer occupational health screening to your team, especially those with engineered stone exposure history
- Staff training: Educate your team that switching materials does not mean switching off safety; silica risk remains real
- Partner with an occupational hygienist: Design a tailored compliance program for your new material profile
The engineered stone ban is a landmark public health victory, but the work of protecting stone workers from silica disease continues. Your diligence now will prevent the next generation of workers from suffering the harm of the engineered stone era.
Frequently Asked Questions (Continued)
Q: Should I consider moving away from stone fabrication entirely?
That’s a business decision beyond occupational hygiene scope. However, the evidence is clear: stone fabrication carries inherent silica risk. If you choose to continue, commit to the highest standards of dust control, monitoring, and worker health protection.
Q: Are sintered stone products safe?
Sintered stone still contains 50–65% silica. They are safer than engineered stone and some quartzites, but not “safe” in an absolute sense. Monitor regularly, maintain control measures, and keep abreast of emerging occupational health data. The industry is still learning long-term health impacts of sintered stone exposure.
Q: Where can I find AIOH-certified occupational hygienists experienced in stone industry monitoring?
The Australian Institute of Occupational Hygienists (AIOH) website lists accredited practitioners. Look for hygienists with stone industry or construction dust background. Anitech Group specialises in silica monitoring across all industries and can design a program specific to your stone fabrication operations.
Stone Industry Compliance is Changing—Speak to Our Hygienists About Updated Monitoring Requirements
The engineered stone ban has reshaped the industry landscape. Your monitoring obligations remain, but the materials—and therefore the strategies—have evolved. Anitech’s occupational hygienists have extensive experience in stone industry dust monitoring and can help you design a compliant, practical program for your new material profile.
Contact us today for a tailored monitoring program design and baseline assessment.
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- FEATURE: 1200x630px. Split-screen comparison: left side shows a factory setting with modern wet-cutting stone equipment and dust extraction in action (natural stone/sintered); right side shows archived, crossed-out engineered stone samples; professional, compliant stone workplace vs. the banned material; clear visual narrative of industry transition.
- BODY_1: 800x450px. Close-up of a stone polishing workstation with local exhaust ventilation ducting visible, worker in safety gear (mask, eye protection), natural stone dust generation visible but contained; shows “after the Ban: How Modern Stone Fabrication Controls Work” section.
