The inhalation of fine crystalline silica dust is associated with silicosis and other lung illness. Particles are most often generated in workplaces where materials are cut, sanded or drilled, creating fine dust.

Effective 1 July 2020, SafeWork SA will implement a nationally agreed reduced workplace exposure limit (or WEL) for respirable crystalline silica to an 8 hour time weighted average of 0.05mg/m3.

Consider the following information when determining how to manage respirable crystalline silica (RCS) exposures in the workplace.

Harmful effects of silica

Silica or silicon dioxide (SiO2) is a very common mineral. It occurs in many products including sandstone, concrete, brick and engineered / manufactured stone. Silica is also known as quartz, tripoli and cristobalite.

Crystalline silica is harmful when respirable-sized dust of less than 10 microns is breathed deep into the lungs, as this can cause lung scarring known as silicosis. The lungs become less flexible, making it difficult to breathe and do hard work. The fibrosis of the lungs and the associated inflammation may lead to lung cancer.

There is evidence that fresh cut silica particles, with active surfaces, may be more harmful than aged surface modified (less active) particles.

Silicosis can kill, but exposure to silica dust is preventable. You can help protect yourself and others by watching and sharing this video prepared by SafeWork NSW.

Exposure levels

The workplace exposure standard is 0.05mg/m3. Safe Work Australia publishes the Workplace exposure standards for airborne contaminants that contains the revised value for respirable crystalline silica.

Studies show that people who have RCS exposure greater than 0.065mg/m3 over their working life have an increased risk of lung cancer. At a lifetime average exposure of 0.06mg/m3, the risk of silicosis is estimated at 7%.

Types of work with potentially harmful exposures

The potential for high RCS exposures exists in the following industry sectors.

Manufacturing

Fabrication of engineered stone slabs can cause a dust exposure risk. However the use of engineered or composite stone materials for benchtops in both domestic and commercial premises has increased markedly in the last 10-15 years.

This change in product usage is likely to have increased quartz dust exposure for workers fabricating benchtops by cutting, drilling or polishing.

Whereas natural stone products like granite may contain up to 40% crystalline silica (quartz) by weight, the engineered products may have 93% or higher quartz content.

Mining, quarrying, tunnelling and extractive minerals

Exposure to RCS is a known issue, with risks especially during rock crushing activities or after blasting. Silicosis prevention in South Australia is assisted by the Mining and Quarrying OHS Committee.

Construction, building and demolition

Fine silica dust can be formed on sites from concrete cutting and using dust generating tools on stone. However a significant amount is also generated during demolition activities.

For further information see: Respirable crystalline silica in construction and demolition work.

Engineered stone

New regulations on the processing of engineered stone products came into effect on 1 September 2023 in South Australia to reduce the risk of dust diseases.

All workers involved in cutting, grinding, trimming, sanding, or drilling engineered stone products must be provided with respiratory protective equipment, and use a dust control system such as a water suppressant or exhaust ventilation.

Under the regulations, it is an offence for an employer or contractor to direct or allow a worker to process engineered stone without specific control measures in place to minimise the risk of silica dust inhalation.

The regulations carry penalties of up to $6,000 for an individual or $30,000 for a body corporate, in addition to existing criminal offences under the WHS Act which provide for up to 5 years imprisonment and fines of up to $3 million for reckless conduct which exposes a person to the risk of death or serious injury or illness.

SafeWork SA will enforce the new regulations, which will bring SA in line with recent changes by Safe Work Australia to the model work health and safety laws.

Employer responsibilities

Employers must determine if an RCS dust exposure risk exists at your workplace. This can be done by measuring the workplace or reviewing data, such as for tool extraction systems etc. Safe Work Australia has developed the guide Working with silica and silica containing products that explains what you must do to keep your workers safe from the risks of silica dust.

Control for RCS dust exposure must be put in place if the exposure can’t be eliminated.

The work health and safety (WHS) hierarchy of risk control, ranked from the highest level of protection and reliability to the lowest, suggests the following controls:

Engineering controls – dust suppression

  • apply water suppression systems to reduce dust generation.

Engineering controls – dust extraction / LEV

  • use local exhaust ventilation (LEV) systems to remove dust at the source
  • ensure LEV is correctly placed and operates at effective flow rates
  • use dust removal systems on tools to reduce dust exposure of mobile workers.

Engineering controls – isolation / containment

  • isolate areas of the workplace where dust is generated by other workers
  • exhaust and filter air from the isolated area.

Administrative controls

  • ensure regular housekeeping to prevent the accumulation of dust
  • restrict time of exposure / use worker rotation.

Personal protective equipment

  • provide personal protective equipment (PPE) and/or respiratory protective equipment (RPE) that is suitable for the nature of the work and the hazard, is comfortable to wear and of a suitable size and fit, is maintained / repaired / replaced when needed, and is used or worn by workers trained in its use and care
  • assess levels of personal exposure among workers performing high risk tasks.

You must provide suitable information, training, instruction and supervision to workers in the use, storage and handling of hazardous chemicals, taking into account the nature of the work, the associated risks and any control measures implemented.

You must also review and revise your control measures, as necessary, to maintain a safe work environment that is without risk to health or safety, so far as is reasonably practicable. This may include both worksite, via an occupational hygienist, and external health monitoring.

If health monitoring is undertaken, records must be kept for 30 years. Health monitoring must be undertaken by a registered medical practitioner, such as thoracic society registered, familiar with the national requirements for silica health monitoring.

Case study: Stonemason

A stonemason had been regularly working with natural marble and granite products for many years, the granite composed of 25% silica.

An occupational hygienist had been engaged to measure the worker’s exposure levels in the early days of setting up the business, and he had regular health monitoring, including an x-ray every 5 years.

Extraction ventilation systems had kept exposures at a level under the WES.

Due to industry demand the business model changed to using engineered stone products which contained more than 90% silica. When the silica exposure levels where rechecked, the RCS levels were above the WES and control systems needed to be modified to bring exposure back under control.

In the interim a system of wearing a powered air purifying respirator was introduced. Once the workshop had implemented wet processes with modified extraction, the respiratory protection used was reduced to a P2 disposable respirator which requires less maintenance.

Health monitoring

Workers who may be at significant risk of exposure to crystalline silica must be offered regular health monitoring (chest x-rays and lung capacity tests) by their employer.

Free advisory service

For tips and advice on work health and safety, we offer a free advisory service. One of our experienced WHS advisors can visit your workplace to help identify hazards and risks, as well as offer practical safety solutions that suit your specific circumstances.

Find out more or call our Help Centre on 1300 365 255 to request a visit.

Further information

Working with silica and silica containing products – Safe Work Australia

Managing the risks of respirable crystalline silica from engineered stone in the workplace – Safe Work Australia

Respirable crystalline silica in construction and demolition work – SafeWork SA

Crystalline silica and silicosis – Safe Work Australia

Living with silicosis - Lung Foundation Australia

Silica and the lung – Workplace Health and Safety Queensland

Silica - Identifying and managing crystalline silica dust exposure – Workplace Health and Safety Queensland

Silica - Technical guide to managing exposure in the workplace – Workplace Health and Safety Queensland

Strategy for Respirable Crystalline Silica Exposure Awareness and Reduction 2020 – Government of South Australia

Respirable Crystalline Silica (RCS) Compliance Program Report 2020-21 - SafeWork SA

Silicosis Health Screening Program Baseline Findings - Wellbeing SA and MAQOHSC

Breathe Freely Australia

Mining

Silicosis in mining and quarrying in South Australia - Department of Energy and Mining

Management of Respirable Crystalline Silica in Quarries – Cement Concrete & Aggregates Australia

Preventing occupational dust diseases – South Australian Mining and Quarrying OHS Committee

Controlling the risk of dust exposure to workers in mines – Business Queensland

Mine safety bulletin: Management of dust containing crystalline silica (quartz) - Business Queensland