Crystalline Silica Monitoring

How JTA Can Help

Crystalline Silica is a risk to health when respirable dust is generated, becomes airborne and is inhaled. The assessment of health risk is a critical part of determining the need for and level of control required to make the products and processes safe and prevent exposures capable of triggering silicosis.  JTA’s experienced and skilled Occupational Hygienists can conduct air monitoring using specialised equipment which separates the fine particles of interest from other dusts.  The samples are then analysed to identify the concentration of Crystalline Silica in the collected dust enabling us to measure the concentration of respirable silica in a workers’ breathing zone, identify high risk exposures and advise on suitable, effective, practicable controls.

Watch an ABC report on the hazards of Silica Dust that hits home.
(Story begins at 11.02 minute mark on 7.30 Report -16.9.2019)

Crystalline Silica Monitoring Includes:

• Preliminary consultation to determine cost effective testing method
• Site visit by an experienced JTA Occupational Hygienist
• Air monitoring (as per AS 2985-2009) to determine actual exposures to respirable dust
• Specialised analysis and determination of respirable Crystalline Silica exposure
• Assessment in close consultation with site personnel to identify how best to meet compliance obligations.
• Written report meeting AIOH reporting recommendations detailing observations, sampling and analytical results, compliance obligations and recommended control measures

The Benefits

• Prevent serious work-related health issues 
• Comply with new respirable Crystalline Silica regulations 
• Proactively manage your employees’ health and wellbeing
• Peace of mind that legal risks are minimised

Your Duty In Relation To Crystalline Silica

Since August 2019, OHS regulations prohibit the cutting, grinding and abrasive polishing of engineered stone with power tools, without engineering controls and respiratory protection equipment (RPE).   RPE must be provided to workers cutting, grinding or abrasively polishing engineered stone with a power tool unless the process is automated and exposures are below the exposure standard. Employers and others in positions of authority also have a duty to ensure the workplace exposure standard for Crystalline Silica is not exceeded and to provide regular health monitoring to workers where the exposure standard could be exceeded.

Crystalline Silica is found in many other products and WorkSafe Victoria have issued several warnings including the following (summarised) points:

• Exposure to Crystalline Silica can occur during common construction tasks including working on concrete, brick, mortar, tiles, stone or other masonry.
• Employees regularly dry cutting, grinding, crushing, drilling, or sweeping material containing Crystalline Silica without engineering controls, are likely to exceed the exposure standard.
• Employees only exposed to Crystalline Silica for a very short period of time over the day are unlikely to exceed the exposure standard. 
• Air monitoring may be required to determine if the exposure standard is being exceeded, the adequacy of engineering controls and if health monitoring is required (i.e. employees exposed to silica dust at levels likely to exceed the Australian exposure standard).

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