Experts have well-documented the dangers of inhaling crystalline silica in commercial sectors such as manufacturing and construction. Employees with both long-term and short-term exposure to silica dust face several health challenges, including silicosis and other respiratory illnesses.
In fact, the risks associated with silica dust exposure in the workplace have become one of the most pressing global concerns. As a result, businesses are seeking expert advice following strong regulations by Safe Work Australia regarding the use of crystalline silica.
We have crafted this blog post to inform our readers about expert guidelines for workplace safety concerning silica dust exposure.
What is Silica Dust?
Specifically known as respirable crystalline silica, it is a common mineral in Earth’s crust. It is an airborne dust that is 100 times smaller than a sand grain. It is produced when silica-containing materials like sand, concrete and stone are crushed, ground, broken, or cut.
The particles are so fine that they can penetrate the lungs without you being aware of it. Overexposure to these ultra-fine particles can damage your body’s natural defense system and lead to adverse health effects.
Miners, engineers, and construction workers are at higher risk since they are frequently exposed to this dust.
What are the Health Risks?
Human exposure to respirable crystalline silica can lead to lung cancer, silicosis, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). It is estimated that approximately 230 cases of lung cancer due to silica dust exposure are reported each year.
At the same time, not all workers exposed to crystalline silica develop lung cancer; however, the likelihood of cancer increases in those who experience repeated and excessive exposure at work. Additionally, scarring caused by exposure can worsen to the point where it stiffens the lungs, making breathing difficult and leading to COPD.
Given these severe health risks, Safe Work Australia has banned the use of engineered stone nationwide to prevent excessive exposure.
Click here to learn more about the engineered stone ban in Australia.
How is Safe Work Australia Playing its Part?
Aside from banning the use and production of crystalline silica, Safe Work Australia has introduced amendments to the Work Health and Safety regulations to prevent exposure to silica dust in related industries, particularly construction and building. The regulatory authority has published the following amendments for all materials containing 1% or more of respirable crystalline silica:
- Controlled processing of silica-containing substances
- Risk assessments for processes involving crystalline silica
- Requirement for a silica control plan for high-risk engineered stone processing
Click here to read about how an engineered stone provider was fined for silica dust exposure and failing to meet workplace safety regulations.
Silica Dust Control Plan – Here’s What You Can Do
- While there is no safe level limit, Australian regulatory authorities limit the exposure to an average of 0.05mg/m3 per eight hours every day. WHS regulations suggest businesses monitor the exposure to work out a plan if the limit has been exceeded. An expert (certified occupational hygienist) must conduct air monitoring to track exposure limits.
- Workers must also have continual health checks by the expert to determine any significant health risks before permanent damage. It is recommended for businesses to have health screening every three years, but for high-risk sectors, monitoring should be a yearly practice.
- Air purification technology should be essential for any business handling crystalline silica. Euromate Pure Air offers industrial-grade air purifiers to improve ventilation and provide better protection against silica dust exposure. The Dust Free Industrial (DFI) 8500 is an industrial-grade air purifier that targets fine dust in workshops, production facilities and warehouses. It cleans the environment with its HEPA 14 technology, ensuring removal at the highest efficiency
Protect Your Workforce Today!
Escalating the issue is never a good idea—take proactive steps to prevent workforce exposure to silica dust in every possible way. Book a consultation with indoor air quality experts to ensure a healthier, dust-free future for your team.
