This information must be readily available to workers.
Dust containing respirable crystalline silica (RCS) is generated by high-energy processes such as cutting, sawing, grinding, drilling, polishing, scabbling and crushing of silica-containing materials. Certain work processes can also create RCS exposure risks, including housekeeping activities involving dry sweeping, compressed air or blowers on silica-containing dusts.
Engineered stone ban
From 1 July 2024, no engineered stone can be installed, manufactured, supplied or processed in Australia.
Silica is found in the following:
Concrete and other cementitious based materials, stone,
The national workplace exposure standard for respirable crystalline silica has been halved from an eight-hour time-weighted average airborne concentration of 0.1 milligrams per cubic metre (mg/m3) to 0.05 mg/m3. This new workplace exposure standard takes effect in Queensland from 1 July 2020.
Workers may be exposed to crystalline silica while cutting, grinding, sanding and polishing stone bench tops and during the installation process. Generally, exposure to RCS occurs during fabrication of the stone benchtop rather than during installation due to less cuts and fabrication taking place.
Managing respirable crystalline silica dust exposure in the stone benchtop industry Code of practice
This code provides practical guidance for persons conducting a business or undertaking on how to manage risks associated with respirable crystalline silica dust exposure in the stone benchtop industry. This includes work to fabricate, process, install, maintain or remove engineered and natural stone benchtops.
In summary, workers must undertake a formal course in Silica awareness, have a face ft test for their PPE, wear appropriate disposable clothing and may require Health Monitoring. Evidence of these must be made available to the Principal Contractor.
In NSW it is now a requirement to Register workers exposed to Asbestos