Do not crush engineered stone
By Emma Morrison on October 16, 2025
A reminder for those who recycle construction and demolition material, quarries, stonemasons and others who crush rock.
| Question | Response |
| Can I process engineered stone benchtops, panels, or slabs? | Processing engineered stone benchtops, panels, or slabs into crushed rock for supply or recycling for other purposes is prohibited and is not an exception. The manufacture, supply, processing or installation of engineered stone benchtops, panels or slabs is banned in Victoria. The ban is to help protect employees from inhaling deadly crystalline silica dust. |
| Are there exceptions to the ban? | There are limited exceptions to the ban. The exceptions include the disposal of engineered stone benchtops, panels, and slabs. Engineered stone cannot be processed unless an exception contained in regulation 319ZB of the Occupational Health and Safety Regulations 2017 applies. This means that engineered stone cannot be processed into crushed rock for the purpose of recycling and supply. |
| What are the health issues surrounding inhaling crystalline silica dust? | Unless an exception applies, engineered stone must not be processed into crushed rock because it can produce crystalline silica dust. If breathed in, the dust can cause serious health issues. When crystalline silica dust is inhaled, it can cause silicosis, a scarring of the lungs. Silicosis is a serious and incurable disease. Its symptoms include: – shortness of breath – coughing – fatigue – weight loss. |
| How do I dispose of engineered stone? | When engineered stone benchtops, panels or slabs are to be disposed of, they should be disposed of as industrial waste and need to be disposed of in line with Environment Protection Authority Victoria (EPA) classification requirements. Contact the EPA for more information about your obligations. https://www.epa.vic.gov.au/ |
| What are my legal duties? | From 1 July 2024, work involving the manufacture, supply, processing and installation of engineered stone benchtops, panels or slabs has been banned. An employer, self-employed person or a person who has the management or control of a workplace must not carry out that work or allow or direct employees and independent contractors to carry out that work. Specific controls are required when permitted engineered stone work involves an engineered stone process. An engineered stone process is also considered high risk crystalline silica work and an employer or self-employed person must comply with the high-risk crystalline silica work obligations. Processing engineered stone benchtops, panels, or slabs into crushed rock for supply or recycling for other purposes is prohibited and is not an exception. |
| Where can I obtain guidance about working with engineered stone? | Guidance about working with engineered stone since the ban from 1 July 2024. The guidance is for employers, employees, self-employed people and people with management or control of a workplace. It explains exceptions to the ban and how work with engineered stone can be done safely. https://www.worksafe.vic.gov.au/working-engineered-stone |
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