Silica Dust/Respirable Crystalline Silica (RCS) Amendment Laws and Requirements for Businesses

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Are Crystalline Silica Substances regulated under the Workplace Safety Laws?

Safe Work Australia has published amendments to the model Work Health and Safety (WHS) regulations which will strengthen protections for workers at risk of exposure to silica dust across all industries, including building and construction.

The amendments provide stronger regulation of work with all materials containing at least 1% crystalline silica and require:

•                     controlled processing of all crystalline silica substances

•                     assessing the risk of work involving processing of a crystalline silica substance, and

•                     additional duties for any processing of engineered stone that is assessed as high risk, including preparing a silica risk control plan.

What is Silica Dust or Respirable Crystalline Silica (RCS)?

Silica or respirable crystalline silica (RCS) is a common naturally occurring mineral, also known as silicon dioxide. Silica can be found or manufactured in different forms, broadly divided into crystalline and non-crystalline (amorphous).

When natural stone or rock and other silica containing products are cut, crushed, drilled or sanded, dust is released. The very fine portion of the dust that is generated is known as respirable crystalline silica or silica dust.

Silica dust is 100 times smaller than a grain of sand, so, workers can breathe it in without knowing. The tiny dust particles can remain in the air for long periods after the larger, visible dust particles settle.

Workers can breathe airborne silica dust into their lungs, and this can cause damage and disease. Silica dust can be airborne when a worker:

•                     cuts, chases or drills into concrete

•                     rips up existing concrete or bitumen roads

•                     jackhammers or saws stone or existing concrete, or

•                     excavates sites with sandstone, clay or granite.

What are the harmful effects of Silica Dust or Respirable Crystalline Silica (RCS) exposure?

Silica dust exposure causes inflammation and scarring and reduces the lungs’ ability to take in oxygen, this is known as Silicosis. Silicosis is an irreversible disease that causes shortness of breath, a severe cough or general weakness and in severe cases death.

What contains Silica?

Silica is found in some stones, rocks, sand, gravel and clay. Silica can also be found in: Engineered stone products, Sandstone, Granite, Ceramic tiles, Autoclaved-aerated concrete. panels, concrete bricks and pavers, Slate, Fibre-cement sheeting, Concrete, Bricks and Marble

How can I control or reduce Silica Dust exposure in my workplace?

•                     using products or materials free from silica (or containing less silica)

•                     keeping dust generating activities physically separated from other work areas

•                     changing the way dust generating tasks are carried out, for example using wet methods

•                     using dust collection methods and equipment when using drills, routers and saws

•                     fitting large machinery (excavators and bulldozers) with cabs that have an air filtering system

•                     minimising the generation of airborne dust through planning cut sequences

•                     collecting dust as it is generated using: an industrial H-class vacuum cleaner with HEPA filter for engineered stone dust, an industrial M-class vacuum cleaner with a HEPA filter for other silica containing dusts, or wet sweeping, and bagging and disposing of dust or slurry using a strong, durable bag or those provided with your dust extraction equipment.

Does work involving Silica containing products require SWMS and Silica Dust Control Plan?

A SWMS must be prepared before carrying out construction work that has a risk of exposure to silica dust. This is because silica dust results in a contaminated atmosphere and is therefore high-risk construction work under the WHS Regulation.

Need help preparing a SWMS or Silica Dust Risk Control Plan for your workplace? Call ISOsafe 1300 789 132

ISOsafe’s Silica Dust Risk Control Plans include:

•                     the percentage of crystalline silica in the product being used

•                     all sources of silica dust in the workplace

•                     the dust control measures implemented for each activity

•                     how dust control measures are integrated into daily shift routines

•                     how air monitoring is used to assess whether the controls are working

•                     the systems in place to routinely inspect, maintain and monitor controls and equipment to ensure they are clean and functioning effectively

•                     ongoing monitoring and review strategies, particularly in response to incidents, control failure or where the workplace exposure standard is exceeded, and

•                     how risks, controls and any control failures, and where the workplace exposure standard is exceeded, are communicated and reported, as required by various State based WHS/OHS Regulators.

What training requirements apply if I work with Crystalline Silica Substances?

Training for silica awareness should be nationally accredited and provided by a registered training organisation (RTO).

10830NAT – Course in Crystalline Silica Exposure Prevention

Units of Competency – Silica Safety: CPCSIL3001 - Work with products and materials containing crystalline silica; or CPCSIL4001 - Supervise and manage work with products and materials generating respirable crystalline silica.

Where can I get more information on how to manage silica dust? Call ISOsafe today on 1300 789 132

Tender and Bid Writing Help Services - Business Growth Top Tip

Could your business benefit from professional Compliance and Tender Writing assistance?

ISOsafe’s Tender Writing experts can help your business respond to Tenders, Expression of Interest (EOI), Request for Information (RFI) and Request For Tender (RFT).

 

We help businesses from all industries, Australia-wide apply for Tenders, EOI, RFI and RFT and with Compliance.

We support your Sales team to build their capacity through our Bid Management guidance.

ISOsafe Help Businesses Australia-Wide with Tender Writing. Get immediate Assistance Here

Ask ISOsafe - Call Now 1300 789 132

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ISOsafe have helped clients respond (and WIN) Tenders, EOI, RFI and RFT for:

•            Private

•            Government

•            Not-for-Profit entities

Every Tender and Expression of Interest (EOI) is unique, in the past we have prepared:

•            Cybersecurity Policy

•            Diversity and Equality Policy

•            Environmental Sustainability Policy

•            Records Management Policy

•            Information privacy Policy

•            Bullying and Harassment Policy

•            Corporate Social Responsibility Policy

•            Equality/Equal Employment Opportunity Policy

•            Whistleblower Policy

•            Supplier Code of Conduct Policy

•            Conflict of Interest Policy

•            Workers Compensation, Injury Management and Return to Work Policy

•            Drug and Alcohol Policy

•            Modern Slavery Policy

•            WHS Policy

•            Environmental Policy

•            WHS and Environment Management Plan or OHS Management System

•            Key Personnel and Organisation Chart

•            Training Matrix

•            Hazard Reporting and Procedure

•            Construction Methodology or Programme

•            Indicative Programme and Pricing Schedule

ISOsafe also can assist your business with ISO Certification to the following standards that may be requested within a Tender or EOI:

•            AS 4801 – Occupational Health and Safety Certification (OHSMS)

•            ISO 45001 – Occupational Health and Safety Certification

•            ISO 9001 – Quality Management System Certification (QMS)

•            ISO 14001 – Environmental Management System Certification (EMS)

•            ISO 27001 – Cybersecurity

 

Are you ready to Grow Your Business?

Call ISOsafe today on 1300 789 132 to get immediate assistance.

Information security, cybersecurity and privacy protection (ISO 27001 - Information security management systems)

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ISO 27001 is the world's most recognised standard for information security management systems (ISMS).

ISO 27001 sets out the criteria for an effective ISMS.

Implementing an ISOsafe ISMS that complies with ISO 27001 can help businesses of all sizes safeguard their data.

ISOsafe’s experts can help your business every step of the way in gaining ISO 27001 Certification from establishing, implementing, maintaining through to continually improving an information security management system (ISMS).

With cybercrime on the rise, having an ISMS is more important than ever. ISO 27001 requirements ensure rigorous testing of your company’s IT Policies, Technology and Personnel.

Call ISOsafe today to become ISO 27001 compliant – 1300 789 132.

ISO 22716, Cosmetics Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP), Good Distribution Practice (GDP) and ISO 13485 Medical Devices Certification

ISOsafe help Medical, Pharmaceutical and Cosmetic companies to comply with Good Manufacturing Processes - ISO 22716, Good Distribution Practices (GDP) and Medical Devices Quality Management - ISO 13485.

Ask ISOsafe - Call Now 1300 789 132

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ISO 22716 - Good Manufacturing Processes - GMP

Cosmetic Companies may require ISO 22716 to comply with GMP Guidelines for production, control, storage and shipment of their products.

ISO 22716 increases customer confidence and improves consumer safety, furthermore the framework assists with regulatory and contractual compliance.

An effective GMP framework ensure suppliers (and any subcontract manufacturers) are meeting their obligations thereby enhancing customer satisfaction.

Why work with ISOsafe? Only experienced professionals can help your business to become a safer manufacturer of cosmetics.

Trusted ISO 22716 GMP systems from ISOsafe safeguard your business’ success. We can help your business with compliance, training, audits and certification, Call ISOsafe now 1300 789 132

Good Distribution Practices - GDP

Is your business a Distributor only? Youll need a Good Distribution Practice (GDP) framework. GDP typically required by Pharmaceutical, Transport and Logistics Companies.

GDP guidelines set out the minimum standards that a wholesale distributor must meet to ensure that the quality and integrity of medicines is maintained throughout the supply chain.

The Department of Health and Aged Care, Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) sets out the Australian code of good wholesaling practice for medicines in schedules 2, 3, 4 & 8 – more information can be accessed here: Australian code of good wholesaling practice for medicines in schedules 2, 3, 4 & 8.

Feeling overwhelmed? Call ISOsafe to get ISO 22716, GMP or GDP compliant today.

ISO 13485 - Medical Devices Quality Management

Are you seeking ISO 13485 Certification? ISOsafe specialises in Medical Device Quality Management Systems. We can prepare a custom Quality Management System to help your business comply with ISO 13485 Medical Devices.

ISO 13485:2016 Quality Management for Medical Devices sets out the requirements for a quality management system where an organisation needs to demonstrate its ability to provide medical devices and related services that consistently meet customer and applicable regulatory requirements.

Organisations that adopt ISO 13485 ensure they showcase their commitment to Safety, as well as, comply with their regulatory and contractual obligations.

Does your business need help complying with ISO 13485? Call ISOsafe today on 1300 789 132

How to keep up with Regulatory Changes – Law Updates for Business Owners

Business owners can find it challenging to keep track of ever-changing legal requirements.

ISOsafe recommends subscribing to newsletters and alerts from legislative authorities, workplace law specialists (like ISOsafe), and regulatory bodies. These notifications will provide you with useful information to keep your business compliant.

At ISOsafe we develop Legislation Registers to help our clients keep track of applicable legislation. This ensures our clients take action during transition periods avoiding costly fines and penalties. Many clients also benefit from our Legislative Compliance Audits.

Unsure of how to get started? Seeking professional advice can help your business comply. Companies like ISOsafe and legal professionals specialising in workplace laws can offer guidance and support.

Handy Tip: Bookmark this page now for later review and monitoring of your business regulatory requirements.

Ask ISOsafe - Call Now 1300 789 132

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Here are some resources to help your business meet its legal obligations:

1)      AustLII (Point-in-Time legislation system), http://www.austlii.edu.au/

2)      ASIC, https://asic.gov.au/

3)      ACCC, https://www.accc.gov.au/

4)      ATO, https://www.ato.gov.au/

5)      Fair Work Ombudsman, https://www.fairwork.gov.au/

6)      Safe Work Australia, https://www.safeworkaustralia.gov.au/

7)      Victoria (VIC) State Legislation, https://www.legislation.vic.gov.au/

8)      Queensland (QLD) State Legislation, https://www.legislation.qld.gov.au/

9)   Western Australia (WA) State Legislation, https://www.legislation.wa.gov.au/

10)   Northern Territory (NT) State Legislation, https://legislation.nt.gov.au/

11)   South Australia (SA) State Legislation, https://www.legislation.sa.gov.au/

12)   Australian Capital Territory (ACT) State Legislation, https://www.legislation.act.gov.au/

13)   New South Wales (NSW) State Legislation, https://legislation.nsw.gov.au/

14)   Tasmania (TAS) State Legislation, https://www.legislation.tas.gov.au/

Need Assistance? Get the latest Legal Updates by contacting ISOsafe 1300 789 132.