At Dream Doors Kitchens, we take the safety of everyone in our network seriously; from our suppliers to our team and our customers.
Legislation
Worksafe Australia’s dedicated website to this with all the details is HERE. From 1 July 2024, it will be illegal to use, supply and manufacture engineered stone benchtops, panels and slabs, subject to some transitional arrangements.
Existing contracts
Worksafe Australia says that, “Despite the ban on working with engineered stone from 1 July, some jurisdictions will continue to allow the supply, installation or processing of engineered stone benchtops, panels and slabs until 31 December 2024.
This means that work which involves the supply, installation or processing of engineered stone benchtops, panels and slabs between 1 July 2024 and 31 December 2024 would be permitted provided the work is carried out under, or for the purposes of, a contract that provides for the installation of engineered stone entered into on or before 31 December 2023.
There are slight differences state by state as to whether existing contacts could be completed or not see the table below to see if this applies to your state.
If you have a pre-existing contract that was signed before 31 Dec 2023 that provides for the installation of Engineered Stone with Crystalline Silica, then it can still be done legally until 31 Dec 2024 in the following states or territories: NSW, SA, WA, TAS, NT.
Therefore in VIC, QLD and ACT you cannot, the ban is in total effect.
Existing Benchtops
According to experts, engineered or quartz stone benchtops are safe in their solid form. That means that there is no cause for concern if you have a Caesarstone product in your home. Removing existing “engineered Stone benches is also safe if they are not cut on-site. Please see the Caesarstone guidelines for removal HERE.
Moving forward
Caesarstone are the market leaders and the largest supplier of stone benchtops to the Australian market. They have brought in a range of stone called “Mineral Stone” which has no Crystalline Silica in it. It replaces crystalline silica with glass and is fully compliant with new legislation and is safe from any of the risks of silicosis.
Purchasing and installing Mineral Stone is safe and compliant. Please see the FAQ’s from the Caesarstone website regarding Mineral Stone.
We continue to support the work that Caesarstone have done to establish safe practices, along with their calls for industry leaders, regulators and politicians to come together to create nationwide protocols that create strong safety precedents for stonemasons and construction professionals.
You can be assured that Dream Doors Kitchens construction teams are following all regulatory guidelines and taking the necessary steps to prioritise their and your health. We thank our customers for their continued faith in us as we do our bit to maintain a safe industry with the working conditions people deserve.