Engineered stone licence

About the licence

From 15 November 2022, employers or self-employed persons undertaking an engineered stone process at the workplace for which they are responsible must hold an engineered stone licence.

An engineered stone process is a process involving engineered stone at a workplace that generates crystalline silica dust. This includes cutting, grinding or abrasive polishing of engineered stone.

Engineered stone is a manufactured composite stone material that contains resins and 40% or more crystalline silica. This is released when engineered stone processes are undertaken. Without appropriate control measures in place, exposure to dust containing crystalline silica can lead to diseases like silicosis.

Installation work involving an engineered stone process may occur at another workplace, where it is necessary and not practical to do so at the licence holder's workplace. Installers who are not employees of an engineered stone licence holder, and need to undertake an engineered stone process at their workplace, will need a licence.

It is necessary to hold a licence to buy engineered stone from a supplier or manufacturer if you intend to undertake an engineered stone process.

WorkSafe issues engineered stone licences in accordance with part 6.1 of the Occupational Health and Safety Regulations 2017 (OHS Regulations).

Applying for an engineered stone licence

The requirement to apply for an engineered stone licence came into effect on 15 November 2021. Licences were free in the transition period, which ended on 14 November 2022, and licences now incur a fee.

If you are an employer or self-employed person undertaking an engineered stone process at the workplace for which you are responsible, you must apply for an engineered stone licence as soon as reasonably practicable. You must not undertake an engineered stone process if you do not have a licence.

Licence requirements must be met before a licence will be granted. As part of the licence application, a WorkSafe inspector may attend the workplace to verify that requirements are met.

Penalties will apply to employers and self-employed persons who undertake engineered stone processes without a licence after 15 November 2022.

If you have submitted an application before the end of the transition period, you may undertake an engineered stone process and be supplied with engineered stone until your licence application is decided by WorkSafe.

Engineered stone suppliers can check that you have an engineered stone licence, or that you have applied for an engineered stone licence, by contacting the WorkSafe Licensing Branch on 1300 852 562 or by emailing licensing @ worksafe.vic.gov.au.

Engineered stone control plan (ESCP)

Employers and self-employed persons must prepare an Engineered stone control plan (the plan) in line with OHS Regulations before undertaking any work involving an engineered stone process, and ensure the work is performed in line with the plan. If engineered stone processes are not performed in line with the plan, the work must stop immediately or as soon as it is safe to do so. Work must not resume until it is performed in line with the plan.

Employers and self-employed persons must also review, and if necessary revise, the plan if the risk control measures are not adequately controlling the risks. This includes reviewing the plan after any incident involving engineered stone.

Information, instruction and training

Employers must provide employees with any necessary information, instruction, training and supervision required. This will help them perform their work safely.

This must cover:

• the health risks associated with exposure to crystalline silica dust
• the need for and proper use of control measures required under the OHS Regulations
• how the control measures are to be implemented. This includes for the use of a power tool or mechanical plant, and for the use, fit, maintenance and storage of respiratory protective equipment

Examples include training with the manufacturer on the equipment being used; instruction on the use, fit, maintenance and storage of respiratory protective equipment; and documents such as training manuals, staff presentations and information sheets.

Employers must provide job applicants and current employees undertaking an engineered stone process information on:

• the health risks associated with exposure to crystalline silica dust
• the need for and details of control measures required under the OHS Regulations
• how the control measures are to be implemented

Employees who don't receive information, instruction and training may not know how to work safely with engineered stone and crystalline silica. Employers who fail to provide information, instruction and training risk breaching their duties under the Occupational Health and Safety Act 2004 and OHS Regulations.

For help with information, instruction and training details, contact WorkSafe’s advisory service.

Safety obligations

Employees and self-employed persons must comply with their safety obligations when undertaking an engineered stone process.

Getting ready to apply

Before you can apply, you need to have the following ready:

Receiving the licence

We will make a decision on your licence application, and write to you with that decision, within 60 days of receiving your application. Response times may vary.

It is important to complete the form correctly and submit all of the required attachments to avoid delays.

If WorkSafe requests more information, it is important that you respond to that request directly and don’t submit a new application. This will help to avoid any delays in processing your application.

If your licence application is approved, you'll be able to access the digital licence immediately in your myWorkSafe account.