You should use this guide if you are a person conducting a business or undertaking (PCBU) who has workers (including yourself) that work with materials or products containing crystalline silica, including any permitted work with engineered stone.

From 1 July 2024, a PCBU must not carry out, or direct or allow a worker to carry out, work that involves the manufacture, supply, processing or installation of engineered stone benchtops, panels and slabs.

Engineered stone is defined as an artificial product that contains 1% or more crystalline silica (as weight/weight concentration) that is created by combining materials such as natural stone, water, resins or pigments, and becomes hardened.

For further information on how this applies in your state or territory visit Safe Work Australia.

This guide explains what you must do to keep workers safe from the risks of respirable crystalline silica (RCS).

Your responsibilities as a PCBU will change from 1 September 2024 when new regulations for crystalline silica substances (CSS) containing at least 1% crystalline silica (including engineered stone) come into effect.

Following the new regulations, this guidance will be updated to reflect these additional changes.

Please visit Safe Work Australia’s website regularly to ensure you have the latest available guidance.