Respirable Crystalline Silica Dust

BBN is committed to fostering absolute work safety to ensure best practices, rules and regulations are followed in all cases. It is essential that you have an actionable plan in place to identify and mitigate respirable crystalline silica dust exposure to adhere to the official workplace, safety and health legislation.

Silica dust exposure can lead to several serious or life-threatening issues, so it’s vital that you work with a reliable environmental consultancy like BBN to handle risk assessments to create a safer workplace. With us, you’ll have access to:

24/7 availability
Quick turnaround
Years of experience

Identifying respirable crystalline silica dust

There are strict regulations and guidelines in place to protect workers and the public from silica dust exposure. Employers are required to take steps to minimise the risks of silica dust exposure, such as providing protective equipment, limiting the amount of time that workers spend in areas with high levels of silica dust, and regularly monitoring the air to ensure that silica dust levels are within acceptable limits.

Dangers of silica dust exposure

Respirable crystalline silica dust can have severe adverse affections on the health of anyone working with construction materials. Without proper care, you’re at risk of:

- Silicosis
- Lung cancer
- Kidney disease
- Emphysema

To protect workers from the harmful effects of respirable crystalline silica, it is important for employers to take appropriate safety measures. This can include using specialised equipment to control the amount of dust that is generated, providing workers with personal protective equipment (PPE) such as masks and respirators, and regularly monitoring the air quality in the work environment.

In Australia, exposure to respirable crystalline silica is regulated by the Occupational Health and Safety Act 2004. Employers are required to take all reasonably practicable steps to protect workers from exposure to this substance, and failure to do so can result in penalties and fines.

In addition to these measures, employers should also provide workers with training and education on the potential health risks associated with exposure to respirable crystalline silica and the proper safety procedures to follow to reduce their risk of inhaling these particles. By taking these steps, employers in Australia can help to protect their workers and prevent the negative health effects of exposure to respirable crystalline silica.

How we can help

At BBN, we’ll work tirelessly to provide a multi-step program that will help safeguard you and your workers.

- Conducting air quality testing to determine the levels of respirable crystalline silica present in the workplace

- Providing training and education for workers on the potential health risks associated with this substance and how to reduce their exposure

- Developing and implementing appropriate control measures to reduce the amount of dust generated in the workplace

- Assisting with the selection and use of appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) for workers

- Providing ongoing support and advice to ensure that employers remain compliant with the Occupational Health and Safety Act 2004 and other relevant regulations

By working with BBN Consulting, employers can be confident that they are taking the necessary steps to protect their workers from the harmful effects of respirable crystalline silica. Our team is dedicated to helping employers maintain a safe and healthy workplace for all of their employees.

FAQs

Have Questions? We’re here to help you.
How much silica dust causes silicosis?
Breathing in silica dust has more to do with exposure time than it does with specific trace amounts. Even small amounts of silica dust exposure can lead to serious issues if consistently inhaled over several years. That’s why it’s vital to do everything you can to mitigate the risk at the outset.
What is silica dust?
Silica dust is produced when construction materials like brick, concrete and sandstone are crushed, drilled or ground. By reducing the materials to dust, the crystalline silica present within them is dispersed into the air, creating a hazard for all workers without proper safety measures in place.

BBN Consulting — helping mitigate silica dust exposure

Ensuring the safety of your workers is absolutely essential in every project and worksite. By working with BBN, you’ll guarantee that you’re doing everything you can and following all rules, guidelines and legislation to adhere to best practices. 

To find out how our services can help you today, get in touch with our team on 0421 748 867 and speak to someone with years of experience — we look forward to hearing from you.