There’s nothing more important at work than safety. The harmful effects of silica dust on the body are increasingly being recognised, with new legislation aiming to provide additional protection to workers.

The new legislation, which came into effect on 1 September 2024, provides added protection for workers across multiple industries exposed to respirable crystalline silica dust.

The new legislation, which follows a ban on engineered stone that came into effect on 1 July 2024, covers workers across various industries, including civil construction, road maintenance and mining workers.

Under the new laws, safety control measures, including the use of Personal Protective Equipment, water suppression systems, on-tool extraction systems and local exhaust ventilation are mandated.

Furthermore, in high-risk environments, employers are mandated to implement a silica risk control plan. Failure to adhere to safety protocols will result in immediate work cessation. Companies found in violation of these rules will face substantial fines.

Equally important, there is a compulsory training program for workers to ensure they are fully aware of the risks associated with silica dust and the necessary safety measures.

The reforms were agreed upon by state and territory workplace safety ministers, with similar changes previously introduced in Victoria.

According to the Australian Workers Union, the changes are long overdue, with an estimated 600,000 workers exposed to silica dust during the course of their work.

So, what is silica dust, and why is it harmful to the body?

What is silica?

Silica is a mineral that forms a major part of most rocks and soils. There are crystalline and non-crystalline forms of silica. Crystalline silica can be found in stone, sand, gravel, concrete and mortar. Different types of rock and rock products contain different amounts of crystalline silica. Engineered products often contain higher levels of crystalline silica than natural ones. The more crystalline silica a product contains, the higher the risk of exposure to silica dust.

What is silica dust?

Silica dust can be generated when natural stone or man-made products that contain crystalline silica are crushed, cut, drilled, polished, quarried or tunnelled.

When breathed in, it can penetrate the lungs and cause irreversible damage. For example, it can lead to silicosis (scarring or stiffening of the lungs) and lung cancer. It can also lead to kidney disease and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. However, the effects of silica dust may not be seen for many years after exposure.

Who is at highest risk?

The following activities may present a high risk of exposure to silica dust.

• Using power tools to cut, grind or polish natural and engineered stone countertops
• Excavation, earth moving and drilling plant operations
• Clay and stone processing machine operations
• Paving and surfacing
• Mining, quarrying, mineral ore treating processes
• Mechanical screening
• Road construction and tunnelling
• Construction labouring and demolition
• Brick, concrete or stone cutting, especially using dry methods
• Abrasive blasting (blasting agent must not contain greater than 1 percent of crystalline silica)
• Foundry casting
• Angle grinding, jack hammering and chiselling of concrete or masonry
• Hydraulic fracturing of gas and oil wells
• Pottery making
• Crushing, loading, hauling and dumping of rock
• Clean-up activities such as sweeping

On all worksites, safety is paramount. Therefore, it is essential to be aware of and protect yourself from the dangers of silica dust.

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References

Asbestos and Silica Safety and Eradication Agency (n.d.) Find out about silica , Asbestos and Silica Safety and Eradication Agency, accessed 10 September 2024.

Australian Manufacturing (n.d.) New laws provide expanded protection for workers exposed to silica dust Australian Manufacturing, accessed 10 September 2024.

Safe Work Australia (n.d.) Crystalline silica and silicosis, Safe Work Australia, accessed 10 September 2024.