How do workers know if they are undertaking high risk crystalline silica substance processing?

PCBUs must perform a risk assessment to determine if processing of a crystalline silica substance is high risk.

Processing a CSS is high risk if it’s reasonably likely to result in a risk to the health of a person at the workplace.

PCBUs must consider:

  • the type of processing (e.g. cutting, grinding, tunnelling)
  • the form(s) of silica
  • concentration of crystalline silica in the material
  • how often and how long people are likely to be exposed to silica dust while doing the work
  • whether silica dust levels in the air are likely to go above half the legal workplace exposure limit
  • any relevant air and health monitoring results previously carried out at the workplace, and any previous cases of exposure, illness or disease from silica dust at the workplace.

If you’re unsure, assume the work is high risk until proven otherwise.

More information on how to complete a risk assessment is available on the SafeWork NSW website.

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