The specific duties for businesses or persons conducting a business or undertaking (PCBUs) to manage the risks associated with the generation of respirable crystalline silica (RCS) from processing CSS are mentioned in the Working with crystalline silica substances: guide.
PCBUs who carries out high risk processing of CSS, need to undertake air monitoring for RCS. If the monitoring results show the airborne concentration of RCS has exceeded the workplace exposure standard of 0.05 mg/m3 , the PCBU must report the results to the WorkSafe Commissioner using the notification form.
Notify the WorkSafe Commissioner of respirable crystalline silica air monitoring
The Statement of Regulatory Intent: Implementation of work health and safety regulations outlines the regulatory approach that WorkSafe will use for the laws relating to working with CSS under WHS General Regulations. These regulations do not apply to mine sites.
Silica is a common naturally occurring mineral. Inhaling RCS dust can lead to serious lung conditions such as silicosis.
What is silica and where is it found?
Silica is a common naturally occurring mineral, also known as silicon dioxide. Silica can be found in different forms, broadly divided into crystalline and non-crystalline (amorphous).
Crystalline silica is the crystalline form of silicon dioxide that forms a major component of most rocks (e.g., granite, slate, sandstone), soil, sand and clay. One common type of crystalline silica is quartz. It is a component of concrete, some bricks, natural stone products, and engineered stone products. When crystalline silica is subjected to high-speed abrasive processes, such as cutting, grinding and polishing, it gives off very fine particles of crystalline silica dust. These very fine particles can be inhaled deep into the lung and are referred to as respirable. This presents a serious health hazard. Consequently, this hazard can be found in industries such as construction, masonry, mining, and foundries. This information focuses on respirable crystalline silica, which is the most hazardous form.
RCS is classified as a hazardous chemical according to the Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals (GHS) and has a workplace exposure standard. The WHS Regulations include specific requirements for a PCBU to manage the risks associated with hazardous chemicals, including air monitoring and health monitoring.
What are the risks?
RCS is a significant health hazard for workers. Very small particles of RCS cannot be seen under normal lighting or with the naked eye and stay airborne for long periods of time. A person exposed to airborne RCS can breathe it deep into their lungs and can lead to a range of respiratory diseases, including:
- silicosis (an incurable lung disease, with inflammation and scarring of the lungs, causing shortness of breath, coughing, fatigue and other symptoms). Silicosis can develop either quickly or slowly depending on exposure levels. It is a potentially fatal condition).
- progressive massive fibrosis
- chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
- chronic bronchitis
- lung cancer.
RCS increases the risk of developing chronic kidney disease, autoimmune disorders (such as scleroderma and systemic lupus erythematosus) and other adverse health effects, including an increased risk of activating latent tuberculosis, eye irritation and eye damage.
Processing of crystalline silica substances (CSS)
Processing of CSS includes the following activities:
- the use of power tools or mechanical plant to carry out an activity involving the crushing, cutting, grinding, trimming, sanding, abrasive polishing or drilling of a CSS
- the use of roadheaders to excavate material that is a CSS
- the quarrying of a material that is a CSS
- mechanical screening involving a material that is a CSS
- tunnelling through a material that is a CSS
- a process that exposes, or is reasonably likely to expose, a person to respirable
- crystalline silica during the manufacture or handling of a CSS.
Note: Dust can contain not just RCS but many other substances that are hazardous to health. Exposure to all dust needs to be eliminated so far as is reasonably practicable.
Resources and guidance
WorkSafe, Department of Energy, Mines, Industry Regulation and Safety
- How to manage work health and safety risks: Code of practice
- Working with crystalline silica substances: Guide
- Main responsibilities and duties under WHS
- Statement of regulatory intent: Implementation of work health and safety regulations relating to crystalline silica processes
- Western Australia silica compliance project: Report
- Dust hazards in assay labs
Safe Work Australia
- Working with crystalline silica substances: Guidance for PCBUs
- Work producing silica dust that is high risk
- Completing a silica risk control plan
- Controlling the risks from silica dust
- Identifying and assessing the risks from silica in the workplace
- Processing of a crystalline silica substance: Risk management process
- Changes to the regulation of work with crystalline silica substances
- Crystalline silica - Hazardous Chemicals Requiring Health Monitoring
- Health monitoring when you work with hazardous chemicals guide
- Health monitoring for persons conducting a business or undertaking guide
SafeWork New South Wales
Australian Institute of Occupational Hygienists
- Find an occupational hygienist
- Controlling exposures to prevent occupational lung disease with engineered stone [English]
- Controlling exposures to prevent occupational lung disease with engineered stone [Simplified Chinese]
- Silica resource hub
Standards Australia
- Copies of the Australian Standards for WHS Regulations are available to purchase from Standards Australia or can be viewed at the WorkSafe library.