Engineered Stone Ban
Since the engineered stone ban took effect on 1 July in Victora, many stone suppliers and manufacturers have been subject to unexpected WorkSafe inspections. As a result, hundreds of illegal benchtops have been detected.
Scores of stone suppliers and manufacturers have faced surprise WorkSafe inspections and hundreds of illegal benchtops have been detected since Victoria’s engineered stone ban took effect.
Victorias WorkSafe’s Silica Field Team conducted visits to 52 industry sites over the past month, issuing 25 compliance notices. During these inspections, more than 65 samples of suspected engineered stone, as well as products labelled as porcelain and sintered stone, were seized for testing to determine their silica and resin content.
In addition, nearly 1,000 banned engineered stone benchtops have been placed under non-disturbance notices to prevent their distribution to Victorian businesses and consumers.
WorkSafe Victoria also issued improvement notices to duty holders who lacked the required hazard control statements or did not provide adequate information regarding the silica content of alternative products, such as porcelain or sintered stone.
WorkSafe Victoria has made it clear that they will take firm compliance and enforcement action against any duty holders who violate the engineered stone ban. This could include prosecution and substantial fines.
JULY ENFORCEMENT ACTION
| Sites Visited | 52 |
| Samples Seized | 65 |
| Compliance notices issued | 25 |
| Duty holders referred for investigation | 2 |
