RCS HEALTH
MONITORING
WHS REGULATIONS FOR CRYSTALLINE SILICA
Under WHS (Work Health and Safety) Regulations, a PCBU (person conducting a business or undertaking) must provide health monitoring for workers handling hazardous chemicals like lead, silica, and asbestos, if the work falls within specified categories. The PCBU is responsible for deciding if health monitoring is necessary, and it must be conducted by, or under the supervision of, a registered medical practitioner with relevant experience.
Crystalline silica is a restricted hazardous chemical and cannot be used in abrasive blasting at concentrations over one percent without special authorisation. High-risk activities involving crystalline silica include stone countertop work, mining, cutting stone, and abrasive blasting.
WHAT IS RCS HEALTH MONITORING?
RCS (Respirable Crystalline Silica) health monitoring involves assessing the health of workers who are exposed to silica dust in the workplace. This monitoring includes regular medical examinations and tests to detect early signs of respiratory diseases caused by inhaling silica particles, such as silicosis, lung cancer, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). SafetyCo’s RCS health monitoring program helps ensure that workers’ health is regularly checked, allowing for early intervention and preventive measures to protect their long-term well-being.
Practically it involves the following health assessments:
Spirometry
ILO Chest X-Ray
Quantitative Fit Test
Audiometric Assessment – Hearing Test
Thermotolerance Testing
Cement/Concrete Skin Check
Cancer Skin Check
Urinalysis
To speed up your progress you may want undergo your ILO chest x-ray before your other examinations.
ILO chest x-rays can be booked independently and do not need a GP referral to be processed.Crystalline silica is a restricted hazardous chemical and cannot be used in abrasive blasting at concentrations over one percent without special authorisation. High-risk activities involving crystalline silica include stone countertop work, mining, cutting stone, and abrasive blasting.
CONTACT SAFETYCO
THE REALITY OF SILICOSIS
AND ITS DEADLY CONSEQUENCES
Silicosis is a serious lung disease impacting thousands in Australia each year, causing significant suffering and often affecting those unaware of the risks until it’s too late. It affects various professions, particularly stonemasons, quarry workers, major projects, and its effects are irreversible, often forcing individuals to leave their jobs and depend on oxygen for breathing.
Recent statistics reveal a troubling rise in silicosis cases in Australia, with over 4,000 current cases. To combat this, Safe Work Australia has implemented mandatory respiratory fit tests and mask protocols, along with other preventive measures in workplaces with silica exposure.
Key preventative strategies include ensuring workers wear properly fitted P2 respirators, performing annual quantitative fit tests, and employing air monitoring, water suppression techniques, and dust extraction systems. Safe Work mandates preventive measures like respiratory fit tests and mask protocols to combat its rise. Respirable Crystalline Silica (RCS) monitoring is crucial in this battle. RCS monitoring ensures workers lung health is routinely taken care of and keeps PCBUs accountable for maintaining their workers baseline levels. it also allows for early detection of adverse effects and necessary workplace adjustments to protect worker health.
Ultimately, prevention is the best defense against silicosis. This involves comprehensive safety protocols and health checks, reflecting a commitment to worker safety and a future free from this debilitating disease.
RCS MONITORING FAQS
RCS (Respirable Crystalline Silica) monitoring is crucial for maintaining workplace safety, particularly in industries where silica dust exposure is a concern. Effective RCS monitoring helps ensure compliance with health regulations, protects workers from potential respiratory issues, and minimizes long-term health risks.
This FAQ section will guide you through the importance of RCS monitoring, how it works, and best practices for safeguarding your workforce.
Health monitoring is critical for workers starting occupations exposed in crystalline silica processes to detect early signs of silicosis, a disease that may not show symptoms for years. Monitoring includes baseline respiratory exams, spirometry, and chest X-rays before work begins, and ongoing annual checks. Initial discussions should cover the health risks of silica exposure, symptom recognition, and previous exposures. Tests are conducted by registered medical practitioners, with specialist follow-ups if necessary, to track any changes in health over time.
Crystalline silica, primarily found in quartz, is a common mineral that can pose serious health risks when inhaled as fine dust, leading to lung diseases like silicosis. It’s prevalent in industries like construction, mining, and stone processing. High-risk activities include cutting, grinding, and blasting materials containing silica, especially composite stone. The model WHS Regulations classify crystalline silica as a restricted hazardous chemical, particularly in abrasive blasting. Proper safety measures are essential to minimize exposure and protect workers’ health.
Crystalline silica exposure primarily occurs through inhalation, targeting the lungs and leading to conditions like silicosis, lung cancer, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Other organs affected include kidneys and the immune system, potentially causing autoimmune diseases such as scleroderma and rheumatoid arthritis. Acute exposure can result in silicosis, with severe symptoms appearing quickly, while chronic exposure leads to long-term lung damage. Respirable quartz is classified as a carcinogen, increasing the risk of lung cancer in affected workers.
Yes. Sources of non-occupational exposure Silica is abundant in nature in multiple forms including quartz, cristobalite, tridymite and tripoli. Non-occupational exposure to silica dust can occur around industrial sites (quartz crushing, agate grinding, ceramics, use of slate pencils, mining and milling of sand stones, silica flour milling) or from naturally occurring sources such as desert dust or sand.
When workers are exposed to crystalline silica, annual health monitoring is crucial, including medical exams, respiratory tests, and chest X-rays. Workers with significant exposure or signs of health issues should undergo more frequent monitoring or advanced imaging. The PCBU must ensure control measures are reviewed, and workers showing signs of exposure may need to be removed from silica-related work. They can only return after medical clearance and remediation of the workplace environment. The workplace exposure limit is 0.05 mg/m³ for an eight-hour shift. This is the time weight average for exposure of silica dust.
At the end of work in a crystalline silica exposed occupation, a final medical examination is necessary, including medical history, physical exams, spirometry, and possibly another chest X-ray or CT scan. The imaging method should match the worker’s most recent tests. Workers with ongoing health issues from silica exposure should continue medical checkups. A detailed health monitoring report must be provided to the PCBU, covering test results, exposure risks, and recommendations for any necessary remedial measures or further medical counseling.
