Members are to be advised that as of Monday 15 November 2021, new Occupational Health and Safety regulations regarding Crystalline Silica will come into effect.

(These new regulations replace the former Occupational Health and Safety Amendment (Crystalline Silica) Interim Regulations 2021.)

The new Regulations will strengthen the regulatory regime to better protect workers from exposure to respirable crystalline silica by:

• Introducing Australia’s first licensing regime for engineered stone, including increased manufacturer and supplier duties;
• Making permanent Victoria’s prohibition on uncontrolled dry-cutting of engineered stone; and
• Adding additional regulatory oversight of high-risk crystalline silica work outside of engineered stone across all industries, including the construction and earth resources industries.

Commencement of the Regulations will be a phased approach to ensure duty holders are provided with enough time to ensure they are prepared for the relevant changes to their duties and obligations. 

From Monday 15 November 2021, the 12 month transition period for the licensing regime will commence along with the commencement of specific controls to be used when working with engineered stone including the continued prohibition on dry-cutting.

From Sunday 15 May 2022, the commencement of high-risk silica work reform and the commencement of manufacturer and supplier duties will begin, and from Tuesday 15 November 2022, all businesses working with engineered stone must hold a licence, and suppliers cannot supply engineered stone to businesses who require a licence but do not have one.

Any members needing advice should phone OH&S Manager Sam Smith on (03) 9411 4555.