#Silica dust how to#
#Silica dust portable#

Wet cutting and using grinders and polishers with an integrated water supply will minimise the amount of dust generated.Many workers in this industry have developed silicosis from uncontrolled cutting, sanding, polishing or grinding, which releases crystalline silica dust into the air and can get into a worker’s lungs. The manufactured stone industry uses manufactured (engineered) stone products which contain high levels of crystalline silica, for bathroom and kitchen bench tops. Read the crystalline silica health monitoring guide for PCBUs and workers.

Dust control measures should be implemented and reviewed regularly.Ĭomplete our health monitoring webinar to understand when health monitoring is required and your regulatory requirements.Įligible businesses who complete the webinar can apply for a $1000 small business rebate. It also doesn't demonstrate their work practices are effective at controlling exposure to respirable crystalline silica.įor this reason, workers exposed to crystalline silica presenting a significant risk to their health must have regular health monitoring. It may take time for signs and symptoms of silicosis to develop and be identified during health monitoring.Ī single clear health monitoring report does not mean a worker won't develop silicosis in the future. Insurance and Care NSW (iCare) offers subsidised health monitoring (chest X-rays and lung capacity tests) to businesses across NSW through its Lung Screen service. PCBUs (employers) must arrange regular health monitoring for workers where exposure to crystalline silica results in a significant risk to their health.

#Silica dust how to#

If you are a fabricator or installer of manufactured stone materials, on-the-spot fines of $3,600 will also be issued for uncontrolled cutting, grinding, drilling and polishing.Ĭrystalline silica general fact sheet (including translation into Arabic, Chinese (Simplified) and Vietnamese How to protect yourself and workers

#Silica dust portable#

You must use water, dust extraction systems on portable tools, or adopt other methods that eliminate or minimise the generation of silica dust. If you don't comply with a prohibition notice, PCBUs (employers) can face penalties up to $100,000. Inspectors can issue prohibition notices to stop you from doing work that generates high levels of silica dust.

Uncontrolled cutting, grinding or drilling of products or materials containing crystalline silica can generate hazardous levels of airborne dust.īreathing in this dust, usually over several years, leads to serious and fatal lung disease such as silicosis. Uncontrolled cutting and grinding of materials containing crystalline silica presents a serious risk to health