AGB’s Journey to Safer Stone Fabrication
In recent years, the issue of silicosis in poorly designed stone fabrication factories has gained significant attention. At AGB, formerly Affordable Granite Benchtops, we’re proud to say we have been at the forefront of prioritising safety in the stone fabrication industry for over 15 years. Now, our dedication to the well-being of our staff, suppliers, and customers has led us to launch Better Benchtops—an initiative that aims to completely mitigate the risk of silicosis.
So we can lead with complete transparency, join us as we highlight the steps that we’ve taken to ensure the well-being of everyone involved in our stone fabrication process.
2008-2012: Laying the foundation for safety
When we acquired Affordable Granite Benchtops in 2008, natural stone dominated the market, while engineered stone was still relatively minor due to its higher cost. Despite there being no awareness in the market of the toxicity of silica dust at this stage, we were committed to ensuring the safety of our team. By investing in CNC equipment, we enabled wet processing for 95% of our fabrication work, significantly reducing dust exposure.
2012-2018: Recognising the risks and innovating solutions
As the demand for stone benchtops grew, lower-priced engineered stone entered the market, attracting an influx of fabricators. Unfortunately, many of these fabricators did not prioritise dust mitigation, jeopardising the well-being of their workers. During a visit to Australia, we witnessed concerning fabrication techniques and became aware of the emerging discussions surrounding silicosis.
Driven by our determination to set a higher standard, we continued to invest in wet processing machinery to further minimise dust in our factories. A game-changing innovation came in the form of our proprietary fogging system, which replaced traditional air extraction systems. This solution captured dust at the work level, preventing it from reaching our workers' faces. As a testament to its success, the fogging system was implemented across all AGB factories nationwide.
2019-2022: Setting higher safety standards
In 2019, we conducted rigorous air testing to validate the effectiveness of our dust management practices. The results were exceptional, showcasing an 80% reduction in dust levels compared to the acceptable Workplace Exposure Standard (WES) for any industry. This validation reinforced our commitment to exceeding minimum requirements. While respiratory protective equipment (RPE) was no longer mandatory, we continued to employ it as an additional precaution, prioritising the safety of our workers.
2023: Introducing Better Benchtops - Your assurance of safety
Today, we are proud to introduce Better Benchtops — a testament to our unwavering commitment to safety, representing the next phase of our dedication to protecting our staff, suppliers, and customers from the risk of silicosis.
Better Benchtops is committed to using only low-silica engineered stone — a specially designed material with reduced silica content (less than 40%). This solution creates a safer environment for everyone involved in the fabrication and utilisation of our products. When you choose Better Benchtops from AGB, you can trust that you are selecting a product crafted with your well-being in mind.
Better Benchtops: Your trusted choice for safety
At AGB, we leave no stone unturned when it comes to the safety of our staff, suppliers, and customers. With Better Benchtops, we go the extra mile to minimise the risk of silicosis, providing you with peace of mind and unwavering confidence in your choice.
Choose Better Benchtops from AGB, where safety takes precedence. Together, let's ensure the well-being of everyone involved in the stone fabrication process. Experience the difference with Better Benchtops — your assurance of safety in stone fabrication.
