Silica Risks for Local Government Workers
Local government workers are the unsung heroes who ensure our public paths, roads and amenities are safe for everyone. But while they dedicate themselves to protecting our communities, their own safety is compromised.
Alarmingly, many of these workers face daily exposure to dangerous levels of crystalline silica dust. This is not good enough. The exposure to silica dust can be minimised. Stop putting workers lives at unnecessary risk.
Contents:
- What is crystalline silica?
- Why is silica so dangerous?
- Who is at risk?
- What are my employer’s duties to keep me safe from silica dust?
- Controlling the risk of silica exposure
- Reviewing the controls
- Atmospheric (Air) Monitoring
- Health Monitoring
- High risk crystalline silica work (HRCSW)
- What can I do if I’m concerned about silica exposure in the workplace?
- Maurice Blackburn – National Asbestos, Silica, Chemicals, Fumes and Dusts Register
+ What is crystalline silica?
Crystalline silica (commonly referred to as silica) is a natural mineral found in various materials like stone, concrete, sand, bricks, and mortar.
When silica-containing materials are worked on in ways that generate dust (for example, cutting, grinding, drilling, polishing, crushing, or sanding), it releases a fine dust known as respirable crystalline silica or silica dust. Silica dust is hazardous.
Local government workers are particularly at risk when they engage in activities like drilling into concrete – which contains 20 to 40% silica – or using concrete repair materials, such as MG-Krete, with a silica content of 60 to 100%.
To see if a product contains crystalline silica, check the safety data sheet or other manufacturer or supplier information.
+ Why is silica so dangerous?
Silica dust is extremely harmful.
Silica dust is 100 times smaller than a grain of sand and invisible to the naked eye. This allows you to inhale it unknowingly. Once inhaled, these particles can become trapped in the lungs, leading to damage and scarring.
Prolonged exposure to crystalline silica dust, or short periods of exposure at high concentrations, can cause severe health issues such as silicosis, lung cancer, kidney disease, and autoimmune diseases.
+ Who is at risk?
You are at risk of breathing in silica dust if your work involves:
- breaking, crushing, grinding or milling silica-containing material, including concrete,
- sand blasting,
- paving, surfacing and cement finishing,
- drilling, cutting, chiselling or sanding silica-containing material
- handling, mixing or shovelling dry silica-containing material
- moving earth e.g. excavating, mining, quarrying, tiling or tunnelling
- road construction, repairs, maintenance and sealing
+ What can I do if I’m concerned about silica exposure in the workplace?
Silica exposure is a serious health and safety issue. You have a right to a safe and healthy workplace.
ASU Members can contact their ASU Delegate and Health and Safety Representative for advice. They can also contact the ASU Member Contact Centre on 1300 855 570 or [email protected]
+ What are my employer’s duties to keep me safe from silica dust?
Silica is recognised as a hazardous substance; therefore, employers have duties according to the Victorian Occupational Health and Safety Act 2004 (OHS Act) and Occupational Health and Safety Regulations 2017 (OHS Regulations).
There is no safe level of exposure to silica dust. However, the legal limit for respirable crystalline silica dust exposure is 0.05 mg/m³ over an 8-hour time-weighted average. To effectively prevent silicosis and lower the risk of lung cancer, it is advised that employers aim to keep exposure levels below 0.02 mg/m³.
+ Controlling the risk of silica exposure
Employers have a duty, so far as is reasonably practicable, to provide and maintain a working environment that is safe and without risks to health.
+ Elimination
There is no safe level of silica dust exposure. Employers should always aim to eliminate silica exposure risks, as far as is reasonably practicable, e.g. using materials free from silica.
+ Reduce: Isolation, engineering, substitution
If eliminating silica dust is not reasonably practicable, employers must apply a combination of isolation, engineering, and substitution controls to reduce to risks exposure as far as is reasonably practicable.
These measures include:
- Exclusion zones
These are designated areas restricted to only essential personnel, marked by physical barriers or signs.
- On-tool water suppression
This control suppresses dust at its source to create a slurry by dampening or supressing the dust before it becomes airborne. To be an effective control, the slurry must be managed and cleaned before it dries out, and the equipment and work areas must be cleaned regularly.
- On-tool dust extraction
This control requires local exhaust ventilation (LEV) systems fitted directly onto machines to remove dust from the source as it is generated. These systems should connect to a Dust Class M or H vacuum to ensure all dust is collected. To be an effective control, proper design, installation, and maintenance are necessary, and the unit must be emptied carefully and in a controlled manner.
- Ventilation
All silica processes should only be conducted in well-ventilated areas, using air-conditioned enclosures or hoods, and LEV systems to separate workers from dust sources and extract dust effectively.
- H or M-class vacuums
Specifically designed for hazardous substances, these vacuums capture fine particles to prevent their re-release into the air. This is essential to ensure silica dust is efficiently and safely collected during and after silica processes.
+ Administrative controls
If risks persist despite higher order controls, employers can further reduce the risk through administrative controls, including:
- Clean up and housekeeping
Work areas must be thoroughly cleaned after each task to prevent silica dust accumulating on equipment, surfaces, and floors. Use HEPA-filtered Dust Class M or H vacuums and low-pressure hosing, mopping, or wet wiping. Avoid using compressed air, dry sweeping, or high-pressure water as these methods can disperse dust into the air.
- Shift rotations and limit task times
Shift rotations and task limits should be implemented. This reduces prolongs inhalation of silica dust, crucial for reducing long-term health risks like silicosis.
- Signage
Warning signs must be displayed at all entry points to areas with potential silica exposure. This ensures individuals are aware of the hazards and can follow the required procedures before entering.
- Separate amenities
Workers should be provided with a clean, separate area to prepare food, eat, shower, and launder dusty clothes, away from exposure zones.
- Silica waste management
Silica waste must be managed and disposed of in a way that minimises dust release. This includes safe clean up and disposal of slurry before it dries and disposing safely of captured dust. Waste containers must be strong to ensure it goes not break and labelled clearly to indicate silica dust contamination.
- Labelling of containers
All containers holding silica-containing substances must be accurately labelled with the manufacturers or supplier’s information. Labels must remain intact until the container’s contents are neutralised, cured, or chemically deactivated and no longer pose a health risk.
- Safety Data Sheets (SDS)
A register of all hazardous substances, including those containing silica, must be prepared and maintained. Before any silica-containing substances are supplied to the workplace, a current SDS must be obtained and accessible to all affected employees. The SDS must be kept up-to-date and unaltered.
+ Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and Respiratory Protective Equipment (RPE)
PPE and RPE should only be used alongside more effective and reliable controls, and not as the sole measure for protection.
RPE
RPE protects the wearing from inhaling airborne contaminants.
- Compliance: Must meet the AS/NZS 1716:2012 standard. This can be verified through the product information or asking the supplier or manufacturer.
- Fit testing: RPE must be properly fit tested by a competent person at least annually. It also must be done before wearing it for the first time, each time a new make or model is provided, or if there is a change to the employee’s facial characteristics or features that may affect the seal. Employers should keep a written record of each fit test.
- Fit checking: Each time RPE is worn, employees must conduct a fit check to ensure it is properly positioned on the face and there is a good seal. This is in addition to the regular fit test. Employees must be trained on how to correctly undertake a fit check.
- Maintenance: RPE must be kept clean, hygienic and in good working condition. This correct storage.
- Training: Employees must be provided with ongoing training, information, and instructions on the correct use, fit, and maintenance of RPE. This should be conduced by an occupational hygienist.
PPE
- Work clothing: Should be provided to employees. Isolation, engineering, and substitution controls should reduce the among of dust settling on clothing. If dust settles, contaminated clothing should be dampened, bagged, and clearly labelled. It should not be taken home and must be laundered either on-site or by a commercial laundry service.
+ Reviewing the controls
Employers must review and, if necessary, revise any measures implemented to control the risks from crystalline silica dust if:
- Any changes to the systems of work are made,
- Any health effects related to silica exposure are identified,
- An incident occurs,
- Existing risk control measures are found to be inadequate, or
- Requested by a Health and Safety Representative (HSR).
+ Atmospheric (Air) Monitoring
Employers must conduct atmospheric monitoring where:
- There is uncertainty about whether the exposure standard is or may be exceeded, or
- It is necessary to determine whether there is a risk to employee health.
This includes if:
- Any alteration in work practices, materials used, or the work environment is made,
- A health monitoring report for an employee shows a negative health change potentially related to silica exposure,
- An HSR suspects, based on reasonable grounds, that the exposure standard may be exceeded,
- There are changes to the workplace exposure standard and the previous monitoring results indicated levels above the new standard.
All atmospheric monitoring must be conducted and interpreted by a competent person (e.g. occupational hygienist).
Results must be communicated to all potentially exposed employees, as soon as is reasonably practicable and, where possible, shared with their medical practitioners.
Employers must keep a record of the results of atmospheric monitoring for 30 years.
+ Health Monitoring
Employers must provide health monitoring under the supervision of a registered medical practitioner if there is a potential impact on employees' health due to exposure to crystalline silica. This monitoring should be conducted by either a specialist occupational and environmental physician or a respiratory physician with expertise in respiratory diseases and silica exposure.
Health monitoring should be completed in line with the recommendations of the supervising medical practitioner. This can include:
- Regularly throughout employment,
- Before a new employee starts work, and
- When an employee ceases employment.
Employers must keep records of all health monitoring results for 30 years.
+ High risk crystalline silica work (HRCSW)
When conducting activities involving a crystalline silica process, employers must assess whether these activities qualify as ‘high risk crystalline silica work’.
HRCSW is any crystalline silica process that is reasonably likely to:
- Result in airborne concentrations of respirable crystalline silica exceeding half the exposure standard, or
- Pose a health risk at the workplace.
+ HRCSW risk assessment
Before commencing any crystalline silica process, employers must identify if the work is considered HRCSW. A thorough risk assessment must be completed considering the following:
- Material involved: Does the process involve material containing crystalline silica?
- Form of silica: What form is the crystalline silica in? (e.g. brick, concrete, crushed rock)
- Silica content: How much crystalline silica does it contain?
- Previous monitoring: Has previous atmospheric monitoring been conducted?
- Duration and frequency of exposure: How long and how often would workers be exposed?
- Past incidents: Has any incidents, illnesses or diseases related to silica been reported?
Risk assessment record keeping
Employers must maintain a record of the HRCSW risk assessment and its findings for as long as the process occurs in the workplace. It must be readily accessible to any potentially exposed employees and HSR of the Designated Work Group (DWG).
Crystalline Silica Hazard Control Statement (CSHCS)
If the process is identified as HRCSW, employers must create and follow a CSHCS before starting the work.
Work must comply with this statement. If it does not comply, the work must stop immediately or as soon as it is safe to do so.
The CSHCA must be regularly reviewed and updated to reflect any changes in the work or if the risk control measures prove inadequate. A copy must be retained for the duration of the HRCSW.
Current and future employee information
Employers must inform job applicants involving HRCSW about:
- The health risks from crystalline silica dust,
- The necessary risk control measures and their proper use.
Additionally, employees working in HRCSW must receive information, instruction, and training on:
- The health risks from crystalline silica dust,
- The necessary risk control measures and their proper use,
- Implementation of these measures.
Regular refresher training is also required.
+ Example: Cutting concrete footpath
An employee needs to use a concrete cutting saw to cut a section of footpath. A search of the internet for concrete lists washed sand as an ingredient. Sand contains over 95% crystalline silica (quartz). It is known that concrete may contain 25–40% of washed sand.
The job will take one day to complete, and it is known that dry cutting of concrete can produce high levels of dust. It is unknown what the employee’s actual exposure to silica dust will be from the cutting, so the crystalline silica process is identified by the employer as HRCSW. The employer needs to ensure a hazard control statement is prepared, in consultation with employees, and implemented to minimise exposure to crystalline silica dust for employees and pedestrians.
Risk control measures identified in the hazard control statement and implemented by the employer include on-tool water suppression, preventing access to the work area, good housekeeping during the work and at the completion of the task, ensuring wet residue is not permitted to remain in the area to dry.
+ What can I do if I’m concerned about silica exposure in the workplace?
Silica exposure is a serious health and safety issue. You have a right to a safe and healthy workplace.
ASU Members can contact their ASU Delegate and Health and Safety Representative for advice. They can also contact the ASU Member Contact Centre on 1300 855 570 or [email protected]
+ Maurice Blackburn – National Asbestos, Silica, Chemicals, Fumes and Dusts Register
If you’ve been exposed to asbestos, silica, chemicals, fumes, or harmful dusts it’s a good idea to document that exposure once you know about it, even if you are fit and well. Documenting the exposure, regardless of how recent or long ago it was, can be helpful for any future claims for compensation you may need to make.
Maurice Blackburn’s free National Asbestos, Silica, Chemicals, Fumes and Dusts Register is a convenient way to do this.
Registration is free, and obligation-free as well. The register has also helped a number of clients prove their exposure through workmate statements.
Register your exposure here