From 1 September 2024, stricter regulations for crystalline silica substances will take effect. These new rules aim to better protect workers in high-risk industries from the harmful effects of silica dust exposure.
Silica dust can be found in many industries, including construction, mining, tunnelling, demolition, manufacturing, quarrying, and stonemasonry. If you’re working in any of these fields, understanding the risks and how to manage them is crucial for your health and safety.
High-Risk Activities That Can Expose Workers to Silica Dust
Workers can be exposed to silica dust through various work activities, including:
- Creating or installing engineered stone benchtops
- Digging, earth moving, and drilling
- Clay and stone processing
- Paving and surfacing
- Mining, quarrying, and mineral ore treatment
- Tunnelling
- Construction labouring
- Cutting brick, concrete, tile, or stone (especially with dry methods)
- Abrasive blasting (with less than 1% crystalline silica in the blasting product)
- Factory metal casting
- Angle grinding, jack hammering, and chiselling concrete or stone
- Hydraulic fracturing in gas and oil wells
- Pottery making
Employer Responsibilities for Managing Silica Dust Risks
As an employer, you have a legal obligation to protect workers from the dangers of silica dust. This includes implementing control measures to reduce exposure, such as:
- Wet cutting techniques
- On-tool dust extraction systems
- Local exhaust ventilation
- Isolation booths
- Protective breathing equipment
Worker Responsibilities
Workers also have a legal duty to protect themselves and others at the workplace. This includes following health and safety instructions, using appropriate protective equipment, and reporting any concerns about safety.
If you’re worried about a health risk, you have the right to stop or refuse work and inform your employer immediately.
Health Monitoring for Workers
If you’re exposed or suspect exposure to silica dust, your employer must provide access to health monitoring. This helps ensure the control measures in place are effective and that your health isn’t being harmed. Health checks and tests may also be available through your work health and safety regulator.
Guidance for Employers in High-Risk Industries
Employers in industries like construction, mining, tunnelling, and stonemasonry must manage the risks of silica dust exposure. Here’s what you need to do:
- Identify Hazards: Determine if silica dust is produced during tasks like cutting, grinding, or polishing materials containing crystalline silica.
- Control Risks: If elimination of silica dust is not possible, use a combination of control measures to reduce exposure. This can include wet cutting, local exhaust ventilation, or protective breathing equipment.
- Monitor Air Quality: Conduct air monitoring to ensure the workplace exposure standard for silica dust (0.05 mg/m³ over an 8-hour period) is not exceeded.
- Provide Health Monitoring: Ensure that workers exposed to silica dust receive appropriate health monitoring.
- Consult with Workers: Discuss the risks with your workers and involve health and safety representatives in the risk management process.
The flow chart below outlines the process a PCBU must follow to identify processing of a
CSS and determine whether the processing is high risk.
For more details you can download the “Working with crystalline silica substances: Guidance for PCBUs (July 2024)” here.
Supporting Resources
For more information and resources on managing silica dust risks, visit these helpful links:
- Crystalline Silica and Silicosis – Safe Work Australia
- Working with Silica and Silica-Containing Products Guidance
- Engineered Stone Ban: Guidance for PCBUs
- Interactive Safe Work Method Statement (SWMS) Tool
Consumer Safety
If you’re a consumer and need to modify or disturb products containing silica (like cutting or polishing), it’s important to hire a qualified tradesperson. The tradesperson is responsible for ensuring the safety of everyone in the area by implementing control measures to manage silica dust exposure.
By following these updated regulations and safety guidelines, you can reduce the risks associated with silica dust and protect workers, consumers, and others from potential harm.