Office of Industrial Relations Respirable crystalline silica Respirable
Office of Industrial Relations
Respirable crystalline silica Respirable particles are generated through the mechanical processing of stone products. When inhaled, respirable crystalline silica dust particles are deposited in lung tissue, causing inflammation and scarring and reducing the lungs’ ability to take in oxygen. Silicosis, caused by respirable crystalline silica, is a serious, irreversible lung disease that causes permanent disability and can be fatal.
Why is there a code? Immediate and significant risk to workers from exposure to respirable crystalline silica as shown by the rapid increase in new cases of silicosis in the industry. • • Stone benchtop industry in Qld over past 2 years—as at 30 October: – 176 accepted claims for silicosis – 26 workers with progressive massive fibrosis (PMF) Stone benchtop industry in Qld during previous 2 decades – 2 accepted claims for silicosis • Silicosis is preventable. • The code is necessary to detail what compliance looks like in practice in terms of prevention, detection, oversight, reporting and support for workers to prevent silicosis into the future.
What do I need to know about the code? • Covers engineered and natural stone • Developed in collaboration with a industry working group - key industry stakeholders including stone benchtop businesses • Sets minimum and enforceable standards which must be followed in Queensland under section 26 A of the Work Health and Safety Act 2011. • Duty holders must comply with the code or follow another method, such as a technical or industry standard, if it provides an equivalent or higher standard of work health and safety than what’s required in this code. • The requirements don’t extend beyond existing regulatory requirements that have been in place in Queensland since at least 2011. • Key focus is on elimination of the risk of exposure. Where the risks are not eliminated other controls must be used. A combination of controls is the most effective. Respirators must be used to manage residual risk.
Prohibition of uncontrolled dry cutting or processing Uncontrolled dry cutting or processing of engineered or natural stone is prohibited. That means any cutting, grinding, trimming, sanding, polishing or drilling stone containing crystalline silica without effective controls to eliminate or minimise the risk of exposure to respirable crystalline silica is prohibited. Effective controls must be used to prevent dust (wet or dry) being released into the workplace atmosphere. Wet and dry dust are equally hazardous. Without effective controls, workers will be exposed to levels of respirable crystalline silica exceeding the workplace exposure standard. Respiratory protective equipment is also necessary to manage the residual risk from dust (wet or dry) that is not captured or suppressed using those controls. Respirators do not control dust; they protect the workers health.
Control dust—the workshop Dust (wet or dry) must be controlled at the source using one or more of the following: • water suppression methods and spray/mist guards • local exhaust ventilation (LEV) • on-tool extraction using a H-class vacuum • fabrication rooms/enclosed equipment (with wet suppression or LEV). You should also: • carry out daily start up checks to ensure machine and spray/mist guards and LEV are fitted correctly and working effectively • routinely clean up with H-class vacuum, wet methods or low-pressure water • dispose of slurry before it dries out. Fabrication workers must wear powered air purifying respirators (PAPR) with at least P 2 filter.
Control dust—onsite installation Cutting, grinding, trimming, drilling, sanding or polishing during installation should be eliminated by: • accurate measuring, cutting sink, tap and stove top holes at the workshop • consulting with principal contractors and clients to prevent alterations on site • taking the slab back to the workshop for alterations other than for minor modifications. Where onsite trimming or alteration is unavoidable it should be conducted in a controlled exclusion zone: • using on-tool extraction and/or water suppression, and where possible using a sacrificial backer board • according to the safe work method statement prepared and given to the principal contractor or builder before work commences • and cleaned up using H-class vacuum, wet methods or low-pressure water. Installers doing any modification must wear powered air purifying respirators (PAPR) with at least P 2 filters
H & M Class vacuum—the difference?
Respiratory protective equipment PAPR with at least a P 2 filter: • • • Must be worn when cutting, grinding, trimming, drilling, sanding or polishing (or supervising that work) and during equipment or work area cleaning Must be fit tested (personal respirator) if it has a tight seal Ensure workers are properly trained to use (including how to seal check), store and maintain respirators. Assess whether others in the workplace, e. g. office workers, might also need respiratory protection.
Respiratory protective equipment
Respiratory protective equipment Tight fitting respirators: • quantitative fit testing—at purchase and at least annually • must be clean shaven or not have facial hair that impinges on the seal • should be seal checked before each use • can be worn with safety glasses and hearing protection. Hood, head top, helmet type: • no fit testing required.
Air monitoring Important to understand exposure patterns and to verify controls are working effectively. Carried out by a certified occupational hygienist: • 6 monthly for first 2 years to establish a baseline • at least annually after baseline or earlier in response to triggers • certified occupational hygienists can be found on the AIOH website: https: //www. aioh. org. au/resources/find-an-occupational-hygienist. Air monitoring reports: • must be readily available to workers who may be affected • must be provided to an inspector on request • should be provided to medical practitioners carrying out health monitoring. Air monitoring results showing the workplace exposure standard has been exceeded must be investigated and corrective measures documented.
Clean-up • Keep respirators on while cleaning the area, tools and equipment. • Routinely clean-up to prevent the build up of dust on floors, walls, other surfaces and equipment. • Use H-class vacuum cleaner or wet methods such as low pressure hosing, mopping or wet wiping down surfaces. • Waste materials, including wet slurry and captured dust, should be disposed of in a manner that minimises the risk of dust being redistributed. • Vacuum off clothes using H-class vacuum. • Dry sweeping or compressed air are not permitted for clean-up as these can redistribute dust.
Slurry and recycled water Wet slurry must be managed by: capture or containment through floor grading, grates, curbing and channelling keeping floors and surfaces wet regularly cleaning to prevent wet slurry drying out. Slurry—damp cake consistency—should be disposed of in a way that minimises the risk of dust being redistributed over the workplace (e. g. covered, kept wet, bagged). Recycled water must be filtered.
Health monitoring • • Important to detect changes in a worker’s health as early as possible. Health monitoring must be provided: – before a worker commences (unless all test results are available) – at least annually – on exit of employment. The PCBU must pay for health monitoring and associated costs, including lost wages. Workers may be reluctant to participate in health monitoring. Health monitoring reports are written by the medical practitioner. The PCBU must: – obtain the report as soon as possible and provide a copy of the report to the worker – review and revise controls if the worker has been diagnosed with a dust related illness or the doctor recommends any remedial changes – provide a copy of the report to the Regulator if the worker has an adverse health report – must keep the report as a confidential record for 30 years. Workers should be encouraged to give their usual doctor a copy of the report.
Consultation • • Consultation must be undertaken with workers on health and safety matters such as: – identifying hazards and implementing controls – health monitoring including deciding on the medical practitioner to carry out health monitoring. Consultation, cooperation and coordination with other duty holders, for example, with: – principal contractors, builders and sub-contractors (e. g. carpenters, plumbers and electricians, tilers, cabinet makers), involved in, or near any modification to a stone benchtop during installation – labour hire firms to ensure a safe work environment and monitoring of the labour hire worker’s health, including how the cost will be shared.
Training A PCBU must provide all workers involved in the fabrication, installation, maintenance or removal of stone benchtops with information and training on the risks from respirable crystalline silica dust along with all other risks at the workplace. Training topics should include: • • Health hazards associated with respirable crystalline silica dust exposure (including signs and symptoms of silicosis) Operations and materials that can produce respirable crystalline silica dust (wet or dry) exposures Engineering controls and safe work practices used to protect workers The importance of proper equipment control and maintenance Housekeeping procedures Proper use of respirators, including fit testing Health monitoring requirements, including the purpose, description and benefits of health monitoring and outline information and support available to workers in the event of an adverse report
In summary q Never undertake any uncontrolled dry cutting, grinding, trimming, drilling, sanding or polishing. q Enclose slab cutting, grinding, trimming, sanding or polishing equipment. q Use wet cutting methods, clean up and dispose of slurry before it dries out. q Use on-tool extraction with H-class vacuum/dust extractor. q Use PAPR with at least P 2 filters and fit test tight fitting respirators. q Routinely clean up using wet methods, low-pressure water or H-class vacuum. q Dispose of slurry before it dries out. q Check recycled water is filtered properly. q Prepare a safe work method statement for onsite installation, provide it to the principal contractor or builder and ensure it’s being followed. q Carry out air monitoring to check dust controls are working properly. q Provide health monitoring for workers to detect early changes in health. q Consult workers and other duty holders.
Where to get help Employers and workers in the stone benchtop industry have been affected by silicosis. If you are an affected person or know an affected person support is available from Work. Cover Queensland or the Office of Industrial Relations. https: //www. worksafe. qld. gov. au/silicosis Phone: 1300 362 128 Email: counselling. support@oir. qld. gov. au You can also call the independent, confidential and free Workers’ Psychological Support Service on 1800 370 732 to access various community services.
Where to get more information • www. worksafe. qld. gov. au - search for ‘silica’ • www. worksafe. qld. gov. au/silicosis • phone: 1300 362 128
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