Did you know the Construction Industry Safe Work Method Statements (SWMS) needed to be updated by January 2023 to include Silica Dust Disease? The WHS Regulation 2011, has been updated to include a 19th High-Risk Construction Work, which is Work involving the cutting of crystalline silica material using a power tool or another mechanical process. If you are undertaking these high-risk tasks, you must update your SWMS.
What is silica dust?
Silica dust (crystalline silica) is found in some stone, sand, rock, clay, and gravel. It can also be found in bricks, tiles, concrete and some plastic material.
Silica dust is very harmful when inhaled. Being 100 times smaller than a grain of sand, you can unknowingly breathe it in. According to cancer.org.au, “It is estimated that 230 people develop lung cancer each year as a result of past exposure to silica dust at work”. “Approximately 587,000 workers were exposed to silica dust in the workplace in 2011. It has been estimated that 5758 of these will develop lung cancer throughout their life as a result of that exposure”.
Who is affected?
Occupations with the highest exposure include:
- Miners
- Construction Workers
- Farmers
- Engineers
When can you be exposed to silica dust?
Performing tasks such as:
- Road construction
- Crushing, breaking, grinding or milling material in which silica dust is found in
- Casting or sandblasting
- Surfacing, paving or cement finishing
- Bricklaying
- Stonemassonery
- Mineral ore-treating processes
- Demolition work
- The manufacturing of glass, ceramics, concrete, tile, brick, metals, or machinery
What are the effects?
Exposure to dust could result in the following:
- The development of lung cancer
- Silicosis (irreversible scarring and stiffening of the lungs)
- Kidney disease
- Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
At Safety Management Consulting, we can assist you with updating your SWMS to keep WorkSafe compliant. This is critical for maintaining the health and safety of all workers, who could be unknowingly exposed to silica dust and can protect and prevent serious damage to their health. Please get in contact with us so that we can update your SWMS accordingly.