Originally published by the Australian Institute of Health & Safety
WorkSafe ACT recently announced that it is proactively taking enforcement action after the Managing the Risks of Airborne Crystalline Silica (Silica Dust) in the Workplace Code of Practice came into effect late last year.
The code includes information about identifying hazards, air monitoring, health monitoring, controlling the risks, maintenance of control measures and safe work method statements (SWMS).
WorkSafe ACT said it has upskilled its inspectors and formed a dedicated occupational hygiene team that has focussed on workplaces that work with engineered stone and silica containing materials.
“We continue to see non-compliance, with failures to protect workers from silica dust. This code provides businesses with information about what must be done to comply,” said ACT WHS Commissioner Jacqueline Agius.
“We must take a stand, take action; and use the new code of practice to ensure workers are protected from silica dust that comes from all materials – not just engineered stone, but also materials like concrete and bricks and other natural stones.
“Duty holders in the ACT have had a grace period to put in place controls, to get their workers trained and to comply with their obligations, and that ended some time ago.
“I have made it very clear that workers MUST be protected from the risks of silica dust, and WorkSafe ACT inspectors will continue to be out in force and respond to any reports of dry cutting or non-compliance.”
The Code of Practice supports the WHS Regulation 2011 and provides information for duty holders on what unsafe practices might look like, what control measures must be used to prevent exposure to silica dust and what training workers must complete.
