Victoria Announces Australian-First Silica Licensing Scheme

In an Australian first, Victorian employers that work with engineered or manufactured stone will be required to prove compliance with safety measures and obtain a licence, in order to reduce the risks of workers contracting silicosis.

The proposed scheme would also restrict the supply of engineered stone to only businesses or individuals who hold a valid licence. Existing users of engineered stone would have 12 months to apply to WorkSafe for a licence, to give them time to review their work practices and make any necessary changes.

The licensing scheme builds on to the Government’s action plan announced in May last year, which included a ban on dry cutting, a tough new compliance code, free health assessments for Victoria’s 1,400 stonemasons and a targeted enforcement blitz by WorkSafe inspectors (see related article)

WorkSafe claims data shows that silicosis and silica-related illnesses have increased in industries that work with engineered stone, accounting for almost 70 per cent of silica-related claims. The state regulator has accepted 123 claims for silica-related diseases since 1 January 2019, up from 28 in 2018.

Minister for Workplace Safety Jill Hennessy said consultation was now underway to design the specifics of the scheme, which will ensure licensees have appropriate safety measures in place to protect workers.

“Silicosis has had a debilitating effect on too many tradies – that’s why we’ve banned dry cutting and are rolling out greater protections for workers.”

“Where a worker using engineered stone contracts silicosis, any failure to have the required licence may now be used as evidence in criminal proceedings against that employer.”

Read more: Safe Work Australia Release National Silica Safety Guide
Read more: At-Risk Workers Urged to Hold Employers to Account on Silica