With Better Benchtops by AGB, we are leading the fight against silicosis in New Zealand
✓ Ethical, safe fabrication practices
✓ Silica-free stone
✓ Nationwide fabrication
✓ The safe and sustainable alternative to Engineered Stone Benchtops
In a landmark step, AGB launches NZ’s first zero-silica engineered stone factory. Click on the video to see why it is so important.
Setting the standard in safer stone fabrication
With Better Benchtops by AGB, safety is our foundation. We go above and beyond to minimise the risk of silicosis, providing you with unwavering confidence in your choice.
We’ve set the standard for safety practices by being the first to introduce silica-free stone!
Choose Better Benchtops by AGB with a 0% silica composition, so you can have the assurance that everyone involved in the stone fabrication process is protected.
Our journey to safer stone fabrication
2008
The Market: Primarily natural stone. Engineered stone was still new to the market and a minor player at this stage, mainly due to its high price point.
There was no awareness in the market of the toxicity of silica dust at this stage
The fabrication standard was dry cutting with fan extraction, with RPE (Respiratory Protective Equipment) worn as primary protection.
AGB Actions & Initiatives: Affordable Granite Benchtops bought by current owners – and later rebranded AGB Stone.
AGB Invested in CNC equipment, so 95% of fabrication was wet. The balance was managed with fan extraction and RPE.
2009 - 2012
The Market: Lower-priced engineered stone enters the market providing affordable product options, effectively creating a new, much larger stone benchtop market.
With this came an influx of fabricators to feed and meet demand - many underinvested in terms of mitigating the risk of dust.
There was no notice or acknowledgement that the silica content was any different between the engineered and natural products, or indeed an issue.
AGB Actions & Initiatives: The AGB team travelled to Australia to investigate new machinery options, where we witnessed first-hand some extremely poor fabrication techniques in relation to dust management – particularly in QLD. Silicosis was just beginning to be discussed as an industry concern.
2012 - 2018
The Market: Formalised information around silicosis came out of Australia, with some severe cases starting to be reported. This was the first time we were aware of a toxic component in the dust, versus our view that all dust was bad.
AGB Actions & Initiatives: AGB continued to invest in wet processing machinery to reduce dust in the factory environment.
This included replacing air extraction with a proprietary fogging system to catch dust at the work level and drop it to the floor – never getting to the level of the workers’ faces.
Fogging system rolled out to all AGB factories nationwide, deemed to be the most effective dust suppressant.
2019
AGB Actions & Initiatives: In July AGB undertook air testing, to confirm the effectiveness of our dust management practices.
We were thrilled that results confirmed the success of our fogging system, with a result 50% less than the acceptable Workplace Exposure Standard (WES) for any industry.
The result was so good that according to WorkSafe standards, RPE (Respiratory Protective Equipment) was not even required in our factories. Regardless, AGB continued to use RPE as an additional precaution.
As wet grinding tools became available, AGB took the bold step of banning dry grinding from its factories, taking the stance that eliminating dust is better than creating it and then trying to manage it. Fogging and RPE continued.
As AGB was deemed to be leading the industry in this arena, WorkSafe NZ often used our factories as positive examples of best practices with regard to silica. They took our ideas and incorporated them into their future audits
2020
The Market: After quantifying the scale of silicosis in Australia, NZESAG (NZ Engineered Stone Advisory Group), was formed by key suppliers to the industry and engaged IMPAC to set up a minimum set of safety standards for the industry.
The RCS (Respirable Crystalline Silica) Accreditation Programme was rolled out, a voluntary program that could audit fabricators to ensure a minimum safety standard.
AGB Actions & Initiatives: IMPAC approached AGB and 3 other engineered stone fabricators to assemble an initial set of minimum standards for safe fabrication.
The standards agreed on were less rigorous than what was already in place in the AGB Group.
2021 - 2022
AGB Actions & Initiatives: Again, taking the philosophy that elimination is better than management of a problem, AGB commenced conversations with Suppliers, applying pressure around the feasibility of sourcing a full range of low-silica stone for the New Zealand market. This would mean that the fabricators with good management techniques would further reduce their risk profiles, and those using poor techniques would be able to reduce their risk exposure by up to two-thirds.
2023
AGB Actions & Initiatives: AGB moves to ban high-silica stone and launched a new product offering – Better Benchtops – in New Zealand Q4/2023. This must have less than 40% silica – compared to up to 90% in current engineered stone products – (and be fabricated using accredited processes), returning it to the level of silica in natural stone, safely manufactured for generations.
Combining the low-silica stone with AGB’s industry-leading fabrication techniques and controls will ensure the ultimate health and safety of all staff and customers.
Safe and ethical practice is the future with low-silica stone.
2024
AGB Actions & Initiatives: AGB introduces the first 0% silica stone into the market! AGB becomes the first in New Zealand to offer zero-silica Better Benchtops, announcing it will start transitioning out of using engineered stone containing silica, and will only work with suppliers who take the same stance.
2025
AGB Actions & Initiatives: AGB takes their commitment to combatting the lung disease silicosis to the next level by officially opening NZ's first purpose-built zero-silica engineered stone fabrication factory, in Nelson.
NEWS
FAQ’s
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Better Benchtops by AGB is an initiative by AGB that focuses on setting new standards in stone fabrication safety. We have introduced the first silica-free stone into the market and proactive workplace practices to eliminate the risk of silicosis, ensuring the well-being of our staff, suppliers, and customers.
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Silicosis is a lung disease caused by the inhalation of silica dust. In stone fabrication, such as cutting and grinding stone surfaces, silica dust can be generated, posing a risk to workers' health if not properly managed. Better Benchtops is designed to address this concern and provide a safe alternative.
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Better Benchtops by AGB prioritises safety by combining years of investment in safe silica fabrication processes with silica-free stone (0% silica!) and a National Network that ensures availability anywhere in NZ.
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Silica-free stone is a specially formulated material that contains no silica compared to traditional engineered stone. While traditional engineered stone can have silica levels as high as 90%, silica-free eliminates the silica content completely.
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Absolutely! Our silica-free stone surfaces are thoroughly tested and deemed completely safe for domestic use. You can trust the quality and safety of our products.
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Absolutely! Our engineered stone surfaces are thoroughly tested and deemed completely safe for domestic use. You can trust the quality and safety of our products.
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The safety of our stonemasons is of paramount importance. We have implemented extensive safety measures, including increased water usage during production, to minimise dust creation. Additionally, our factory environments register extremely low dust exposure levels, less than acceptable WorkSafe standards, ensuring a safe working environment.
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Yes, Better Benchtops is backed by AGB, a reputable and safety-conscious stone fabricator. We prioritise open and honest conversations with any future suppliers that want to work with Better Benchtops to ensure the quality and safety of our materials.
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We welcome any questions or concerns you may have. Feel free to reach out to us through the contact details located in the footer of this page. Our dedicated team is here to provide you with the information you need and address any queries regarding our safety practices and products.
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AGB, through Better Benchtops, actively participates in industry-wide discussions and collaborates with regulatory authorities, competitors, and suppliers. We are dedicated to improving safety standards and are advocates for mandating that all stone fabricators in NZ should be part of the RCS Accreditation scheme.