On the 22nd of March, 2024, officers in charge of Work Health and Safety (WHS) convened to deliberate on the proposed changes to the standard WHS Regulations. This was particularly to effectuate the prohibition on engineered stone. The WHS ministers unanimously agreed to enact this ban towards all engineered stone benchtops, panels, and slabs. The appointed definition of engineered stone, within the context of the WHS Regulations, will be recognised as a synthetically created product, exempting certain applications.
In deciding on this, WHS ministers also concurred that finished products made from engineered stone—like jewellery pieces, outdoor decorations, sculptures, kitchen sinks—would not fall under the ban should they no need additional processing or alteration.
The transitional arrangements were also agreed upon. Works that involve supplying, installing, or processing engineered stone benchtops, panels, and slabs between July 1, 2024, and December 31, 2024, won’t be subject to prohibition if the work adheres to a contract entered on or before December 31, 2023—a point where products like Bluesafe WHS Management System and SWMS are crucial in ensuring compliance and safety.
For broader knowledge on the matter, one could refer to the Communique released after the meeting by the Department of Employment and Workplace Relations, or liaise with their local WHS regulator. Safe Work Australia has further updated their dedicated web page on the engineered stone ban—including an FAQ section.
By managing work safety meticulously with systems and policies such as Bluesafe SWMS and WHS management systems, companies can ensure adherence to these updated regulations while maintaining a safe working environment. Ensuring the right products, software and training is provided is paramount for protecting workers and abiding by the law.
Original article link: https://www.safeworkaustralia.gov.au/media-centre/news/we-have-updated-our-information-engineered-stone-ban