Engineered stone control plans (ESCP)
An employer or a self-employed person engaged in undertaking an engineered stone process must prepare an engineered stone control plan (ESCP) before commencing that work.
What does this mean in Victoria?
From 1 July 2024, work involving manufacturing, supply, processing or installation of engineered stone benchtops, panels or slabs will be banned.
Victoria will not have a transitional period for the ban. This means that after 1 July 2024, you cannot work with engineered stone benchtops, panels or slabs, even if you entered into a contract before that date. Repairs, minor modifications, removal and disposal of engineered stone benchtops, panels or slabs (legacy stone) installed prior to the ban will be permitted. This work will be subject to existing control requirements for engineered stone.
The Victorian Government intends to strengthen the high-risk crystalline silica regulations, to apply to more crystalline silica containing products and processes. More information will be available soon.
Until 1 July 2024:
- All businesses working with engineered stone in Victoria will still require a licence.
- You still need to follow Victoria's current Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) laws in relation to exposure to silica dust or working with engineered stone.
From 1 July 2024:
- You will not need a licence to work with engineered stone.
For any questions, email [email protected]
Information in other languages: Chinese (simplified), Chinese (traditional), Italian, Vietnamese.
What it contains
An employer or a self-employed person engaged in undertaking an engineered stone process must prepare an engineered stone control plan (ESCP) before commencing that work. An engineered stone process is a process involving engineered stone at a workplace that generates crystalline silica dust, including cutting, grinding or abrasive polishing of engineered stone.
This document advises employers and self-employed people how to prepare and use an ESCP.
At the end of the document, there is a sample template you can use to prepare your ESCP.