Crystalline silica dust

Cutting, grinding, drilling, polishing or demolishing concrete, brick, stone, tile or engineered stone generating respirable crystalline silica causing silicosis, lung cancer, COPD and autoimmune disease. WES = 0.05 mg/m³ 8h TWA. Engineered stone banned from 1 July 2024.

Controls (hierarchy of controls order)

1. Eliminate

   Residual LOW

   Substitute lower-silica material; banned engineered stone

   Specify low-silica alternatives (engineered stone prohibited from 1 July 2024); cut to size off-site by suppliers with controlled facilities; use pre-cast components.

   Cited: WHS Reg 529CA · Working with Silica & Silica Substances CoP

2. Engineering controls

   Residual MEDIUM

   Water suppression on all cutting / grinding tools

   All cutting, grinding, drilling tools fitted with water suppression at minimum 0.5 L/min directed at the tool/material interface. Wet slurry cleaned up before drying.

   Cited: Working with Silica CoP s 4.3

3. Engineering controls

   Residual MEDIUM

   Local exhaust ventilation (M/H-class vacuum) at source

   Tool-mounted on-tool extraction connected to an H-class (HEPA) vacuum (AS/NZS 60335.2.69), inspected daily; dust shroud kept in contact with material.

   Cited: AS/NZS 60335.2.69

4. Administrative controls

   Residual MEDIUM

   Air monitoring + health surveillance

   Personal air monitoring by an occupational hygienist before high-risk tasks and at 6-monthly intervals; health surveillance (chest X-ray + lung function) for any worker exposed above half-WES on ≥30 days/year per WHS Reg 368.

   Cited: WHS Reg 49 & 368 · AS 2985

5. Personal protective equipment

   Residual MEDIUM

   P2/P3 respirator with fit-test record

   P2 minimum (P3 for high-energy tasks or where engineering controls cannot achieve <half-WES); annual quantitative fit-test recorded; clean-shaven seal area; replaced when breathing resistance increases.

   Cited: AS/NZS 1715 & 1716

PPE

• P2 disposable respirator — P2-rated disposable particulate respirator with fit-check and clean-shaven seal area. Replace when breathing resistance increases or per shift.Standard: AS/NZS 1716
• P3 full-face / half-face respirator — Reusable P3 respirator with annual fit-test record; required for friable asbestos or high-energy crystalline silica tasks where Class P2 is insufficient.Standard: AS/NZS 1716
• Safety glasses (medium impact) — Medium-impact safety glasses with side shields; fitted prescription where worker requires correction.Standard: AS/NZS 1337.1
• Industrial safety helmet — Type 1 industrial safety helmet with chin strap where required by site rules or wind exposure. Replace at expiry date or after impact.Standard: AS/NZS 1801
• Steel-cap safety boots — Type 1 safety footwear with steel toecap, slip-resistant sole, ankle support; electrical hazard rating where exposed to live electrical work.Standard: AS/NZS 2210.3