Silicosis is a potentially fatal disease caused by inhaling crystalline silica dust. This can be generated during activities such as cutting, crushing, drilling, polishing, sawing or grinding products containing the substance. Since 2018, WorkSafe is aware of 56 silicosis cases in Western Australia (WA), with 50 of these cases relating to workers who handled engineered stone.
From 1 July 2024, the manufacture, supply and use of engineered stone was prohibited in WA, in alignment with other Australian jurisdictions. The Work Health and Safety (General) Regulations 2022 (WHS General Regulations) define engineered stone as an artificial product containing at least 1% crystalline silica and created by combining natural stone with other chemicals constituents (such as water, resins or pigments) to harden the product. The ban includes benchtops, panels and slabs.
Transitional arrangements will allow the completion of installations until 31 December 2024 if contracts were signed by 31 December 2023. Uncontrolled dry cutting will remain prohibited during this period.
Installed engineered stone does not pose a health hazard. However, working with it requires notifying WorkSafe.
Additionally, the WHS General Regulations have been amended to introduce a stronger regulatory framework for all industries working with crystalline silica. Materials like marble, granite, asphalt, cement, concrete, bricks, pavers and tiles contain silica, and workers in construction, manufacturing, tunnelling, demolition, mining, quarrying and stonemasonry can be exposed to silica dust. New requirements which took effect on 1 September 2024 include:
- a requirement for the controlled processing for all crystalline silica substances (CSS)
- a requirement to undertake a risk assessment for all processing of CSS
- additional duties for any processing of a CSS that is assessed as high risk.
Further information
Further informationInformation about these changes is available and is regularly updated. For more information, see Engineered stone ban and Silica on the WorkSafe website and Safe Work Australia’s Engineered stone ban and Be Silica Smart webpages.
