Requirement to have Engineered Stone Licence by November 2022

In response to the prevalence of silica related diseases throughout several industries, a review and halving of the workplace exposure standard by Safe Work Australia for respirable crystalline silica was enforced in July 2020. Following this, the Occupational Health and Safety Amendment (Crystalline Silica) Regulations 2021 were proposed and adopted by the Victorian government on the 15^th November 2021.

Under the OHS Regulations, employers must ensure that atmospheric monitoring is carried out for crystalline silica dust generated at the employer’s workplace where  there is uncertainty (based on reasonable grounds) as to whether the exposure standard is or may be exceeded, or atmospheric monitoring is necessary to determine whether there is a risk to health.

HAZCON has conducted a large number of crystalline silica air monitoring programs for employers to establish whether their processes generate crystalline silica at levels greater than ½ the exposure standard and to also determine if any control measures are adequate to protect the employees. Note: The exposure standard is currently 0.05mg/m³ for respirable crystalline silica dust.  

With the new silica regulations added to the current Victorian Occupational Health and Safety Regulations 2017 in November 2021, risk assessments for tasks where silica may be present will need to be conducted, and a record of the risk of silica exposure and the control measures used to protect employees will need to be recorded.

If any tasks are found to expose employees to crystalline silica above half the exposure standard, it is classed as high-risk crystalline silica work and a risk assessment will need to be conducted in line with the  Occupational Health and Safety Amendment (Crystalline Silica) Regulations 2021.

If a high-risk silica process is identified, a crystalline silica hazard control statement (CSHCS) must be prepared for the work before any high-risk silica work commences and ensure work is performed in accordance with that statement.

Hazcon can assist with ensuring your Regulatory Duties & Responsibilities are being met at your workplace by:

• Conducting personal atmospheric monitoring of your employees to determine exposure levels to dust and silica
• Undertaking dust and silica worksite assessments to determine the workplace dust and silica dust exposure routes, and safe system of work processes/risk control measures that are in place at your worksite
• Providing detailed reports on our observations and making appropriate recommendations where needed to ensure compliance is achieved with current legislative requirements.

Businesses who work with engineered stone must apply to WorkSafe Victoria or an engineered stone licence by November 2022 and supply information containing the address of the business, control plan, the risk control measures, number of employees who may be exposed, name and address of supplier of the engineered stone, detailed information of training and instruction provided to employees, and a statement provided to employees on the health risks associated with engineered stone.

A 1 year transitional period between November 2021 and November 2022 has been set up to enable businesses to develop control plans to apply for the licence.

For any inquiries or further assistance, please email hazcon@hazcon.com.au

Further Reading

HAZCON Silica Dust Consulting Services  and HAZCON Silica Dust Awareness Training with Fit Check

WorkSafe Victoria Compliance Code  Managing  exposure to crystalline silica – engineered stone 

Crystalline silica amendment to OHS Regs 2017 - this contains information on licensing application timeframes requirements for Engineered Stone Businesses in Victoria.