Silica in engineered stone workplaces
Information about silica-related hazards for engineered (manufactured) stone businesses and workers.
The manufacture, supply and installation of engineered stone benchtops, panels and slabs is now banned.
Some exceptions will be made for the removal, repair, minor modification, and disposal of engineered stone products installed prior to the prohibition (legacy products), as well as appropriate exceptions for engineered stone products with trace levels of crystalline silica (under 1%).
Crystalline silica exists in many workplaces. Silica illnesses can be stopped by ensuring workers who are exposed to silica dust get fit and lung tested yearly, when starting a new job, or getting a new type of mask.
On this page
Industry information
The engineered (manufactured) stone industry uses engineered stone products which contain high levels of crystalline silica, for bathroom and kitchen bench tops.
Many workers in this industry have developed lung illnesses such as Silicosis from cutting, sanding, polishing or grinding engineered stone. Without appropriate safety controls, crystalline silica dust releases into the air and can get into a workers' lungs.
If you are a fabricator or installer of engineered stone materials, on-the-spot fines of $3,600 will be issued for uncontrolled cutting or, grinding, drilling, and polishing.
Find information about your responsibilities working with engineered stone in the Code of practice – Managing the risks of respirable crystalline silica from engineered stone in the workplace.
Medical practitioners must notify NSW Health when they diagnose a case of silicosis.
Risks of working with silica
Silica safety is important to make sure workers are not exposed to silica dust which can lead to a number of serious illnesses including:
- silicosis – scarring of the lung that can result in a severe shortness of breath and is not reversible. Severe cases can be terminal or require a lung transplant.
- lung cancer
- kidney disease
- chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
The workplace exposure standard (WES) for respirable crystalline silica (RCS) is 0.05mg/m3 eight-hour time-weighted average. More detailed information on workplace exposure standards can be found in the crystalline silica technical fact sheet.
The Code of practice – Managing the risks of respirable crystalline silica from engineered stone in the workplace (Section 3.1) will also provide additional guidance around workplace exposure standards and how it can be managed with specific duties in an engineered stone workplace.
To assist engineered stone workplaces look for and control silica dust hazards, this working with engineered stone checklist (PDF, 1054.72 KB) will help to conduct a basic inspection. This checklist is available in Arabic (PDF, 397.46 KB), Simplified Chinese (PDF, 326.99 KB) and Vietnamese (PDF, 456.97 KB).
The silica dust control plan template (PDF, 554.49 KB) will help document control measures to manage the risk of exposure to respirable crystalline silica. The template is also available in Arabic (PDF, 516.18 KB) and Simplified Chinese (PDF, 383.74 KB).
Prevention methods
- wet cutting and using grinders and polishers with an integrated water supply will minimise the amount of dust generated
- workers must be provided with half face piece reusable or disposable respirators as a minimum, that comply with the Australian Standard 1716:2012 Respiratory Protective Devices
- on tool dust capture attachments or wet cutting/grinding can be used to control dust generated during any work required during on site installation
- make sure work areas are regularly cleaned with water or using a Class M or H vacuum and don’t allow dust to build up.
Fit testing requirements
Wearers of tight-fitting respirators (including disposables, reusable half face and full face) should be fit tested before wearing a mask for the first time and subsequently every 12 months thereafter. (AS 1715:2009)
Find a fit tester on the RESP-FIT website.
A Person Conducting a Business or Undertaking (PCBU), must ensure workers get their masks fit tested:
- when they start working
- every 12 months after that.
Workers should:
- check with their supervisor about this testing
- look after and check their safety equipment and follow proper storage and maintenance procedures.
- monitor their health – if something is wrong, say something.
The Respiratory protective equipment and requirements for fit testing workers resource provides more detailed information for workers exposed to contaminants at work.
Lung testing requirements
PCBU’s must check workers lungs for signs of lung disease including silicosis:
- when they start working
- every 12 months after that.
A PCBU must ensure that if a worker is carrying out ongoing work with hazardous chemicals, health monitoring is provided.
Book a lung test with iCare by phoning 1800 550 227, emailing [email protected] or visiting the icare lung screen service website.
Workers should:
- check with their supervisor about this testing
- look after and check their safety equipment and follow proper storage and maintenance procedures.
- monitor their health – if something is wrong, say something.
Health monitoring
PCBUs must arrange regular health monitoring for workers where exposure to crystalline silica results in a significant risk to their health.
Insurance and Care NSW (iCare) offers subsidised health monitoring (chest X-rays and lung capacity tests) to businesses across NSW through its Lung Screen service.
It may take time for signs and symptoms of silicosis to develop and be identified during health monitoring.
A single clear health monitoring report does not mean a worker won't develop silicosis in the future.
It also doesn't demonstrate their work practices are effective at controlling exposure to respirable crystalline silica.
For this reason, workers exposed to crystalline silica presenting a significant risk to their health must have regular health monitoring. Dust control measures should be implemented and reviewed regularly.
Complete our health monitoring webinar to understand when health monitoring is required and your regulatory requirements.
Keep you and your work mates safe. Our Speak Up Save Lives app lets you report an unsafe work situation, while giving you the choice to remain anonymous.