After several years of hundreds of Australian workers developing silicosis (see Note 2) after working with engineered stone, the Australian Government (in consultation with relevant stakeholders) announced a ban on the product.
As of July 1, 2024, Australia has banned the manufacture, supply, processing and installation of engineered stone benchtops, panels and slabs. This is supporting a national approach to this issue. Safe Work Australia reported that it could not identify a safe level of silica in engineered stone, concluding that the use of all engineered stone should be banned across Australia.
From 1 September 2024, there are additional requirements in relation to the processing of crystalline silica substances (CSS), which are materials that contain at least 1 per cent crystalline silica, under the Western Australian Work Health and Safety (General) Regulations 2022.
Note 1: These regulations do not apply to mine sites.
Based on a Curtin University research (April 2022), it is estimated that around 584,050 Australian workers are currently exposed to respirable crystalline silica (RCS), which occurs when products containing crystalline silica, such as stone, rocks, concrete and bricks, are processed via cutting, drilling, grinding, sawing, crushed etc. Approximately 10,390 Australians are predicted to develop Silicosis (eventually leading to lung cancer) in their lifetime as a direct result of being exposed to the dust.
Note 2: Silicosis, an incurable lung disease, which inflames and scars the lungs, of which can cause shortness of breath, coughing, fatigue and other symptoms.
Silica is silicon dioxide, a naturally occurring and widely abundant mineral that forms the major component of most rocks and soils. How much crystalline silica is present depends on the material. However, for example, composite or engineered stone used in benchtops, slabs and/or panels could have as higher concentration of crystalline silica content, up to 95%.
Note 3: There are also non-crystalline and crystalline forms of silicon dioxide as well.
Examples of a CSS include, but not limited to:
- Natural stone products such as marble or granite benchtops
- Engineered stone
- Sintered stone
- Porcelain and ceramic products
- Sandstone
- Asphalt
- Cement products containing fly ash, mortar and grout
- Bricks, blocks, pavers, tiles and mortar
- Concrete and cement-based products, such as fibre-cement sheeting and autoclaved-aerated concrete
- Most rocks, sands, and clays
- Composite dental fillings.
(information from WA Worksafe Guide to Working with Crystalline Silica Substances)
Do you have any of these products in your workplace?
Note 4: It is not just direct workers who are exposed to these products but also indirect workers (nearby workers) who need to also be protected from CSS.
Exposure standard means an exposure standard listed in Workplace exposure standards (WES) for airborne contaminants and represents the airborne concentration of a particular substance or mixture that must not be exceeded (over an 8-hour period). There are three types of exposure standards
- eight-hour time-weighted average (TWA)
- short-term exposure limit (STEL)
- peak limitation.
The new WES for respirable crystalline silica (RCS) is a TWA of 0.05 mg/m3 (half the rate it was previously). Worksafe WA have Released a guide to assist individuals and organisations to understand the additional work health and safety (WHS) requirements in relation to processing a CSS, to protect workers and others at the workplace from exposure to respirable crystalline silica (RCS).
Management and individuals must work together to reduce and manage these risks (everyone has a duty of care). To meet this new workplace exposure standard, organisations should engage in a risk management process to identify risks and the measures that can be used in your workplace to minimise the amount of dust workers are exposed to.
Controls include but not limited to.
- conduct an assessment to ascertain if CSS activities is identified with your workplace
- review Safety Data Sheets
- conduct air monitoring
- conduct health assessments for all exposed workers
- Develop a risk control plan
- Conduct PPE fit testing for masks
- Develop a safe work method statement (SWMS) with consultation with workers
- Conduct training
- Ongoing monitoring of the workplace/s
If you would like more information, get in contact with us, we’d love to help!
https://www.curtin.edu.au/about/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2022/07/FEFreport_formatted.pdf
https://www.commerce.wa.gov.au/publications/working-crystalline-silica-substances-guide