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