Product Overview

This Silica Dust Safe Work Method Statement (SWMS) is a comprehensive safety management document designed to identify, control, and monitor risks associated with respirable crystalline silica on construction and related worksites, supporting strong WHS compliance. It provides end-to-end guidance on planning, undertaking, and supervising all key activities that may generate or disturb silica-containing dust, ensuring silica dust risk management is thorough and consistent across your operations.

Activities & Specific Tasks Covered

This document includes specific risk controls for:

• Assessment of breathing hazards from silica dust and other airborne particulates in work areas
• Management of dust and particle inhalation risks during cutting, drilling, grinding, and polishing activities
• Selection, setup, and safe operation of fixed and portable dust collectors for silica dust control
• Use, inspection, and maintenance of mobile dust extractors and on-tool extraction systems
• Planning and control of activities that may create dust, including dry cutting, chasing, and demolition of silica-containing materials
• Protection of workers who may be exposed to silica dust during handling, loading, or storage of building products
• Control of exposure to dust and particulates in enclosed, semi-enclosed, and outdoor work environments
• Safe work methods to minimise dust exposure when cutting tiles, masonry, concrete, and engineered stone
• Handling, cutting, drilling, and grinding building products containing silica, including engineered stone, bricks, and concrete
• Monitoring and managing dust levels and air quality, including ventilation and housekeeping controls
• Implementation of engineering, administrative, and PPE controls to minimise silica exposure for all personnel
• Control of dust exposure while grinding concrete, stone, or similar substrates, including wet methods and shrouded tools
• Management of fine “gloss” or polishing dust produced during surface finishing of silica-containing materials
• Risk assessment and control of potential exposure to respirable crystalline silica (RCS) dust across all relevant tasks
• Development and implementation of RCS dust control plans, including health monitoring and review of controls

Who is this for?

This SWMS is designed for tilers, concreters, stonemasons, demolition contractors, civil and construction workers, fabricators of engineered stone, and site supervisors responsible for managing silica dust risks on Australian worksites.

Specific Job Steps & Hazards Covered

Legislation & References

This document was researched and developed to align with:

• Managing the Risks of Respirable Crystalline Silica from Engineered Stone in the Workplace Code of Practice (where applicable in relevant jurisdictions)
• Managing the Risk of Dust Explosions in Coal-Fired Power Stations Code of Practice (referenced where dust control principles are applicable to industrial dust management)
• Managing Risks of Hazardous Chemicals in the Workplace Code of Practice – for classification and control of hazardous respirable crystalline silica
• How to Manage Work Health and Safety Risks Code of Practice – for the risk management process applied to silica dust hazards
• Managing the Work Environment and Facilities Code of Practice – for ventilation, air quality, and housekeeping requirements
• Hazardous Manual Tasks Code of Practice – for safe handling of silica-containing products and dust control equipment
• AS/NZS 1715: Selection, Use and Maintenance of Respiratory Protective Equipment – for correct selection and management of RPE for silica dust
• AS/NZS 1716: Respiratory Protective Devices – for performance requirements of respirators used against respirable crystalline silica
• Work Health and Safety Act 2011
• Work Health and Safety Regulations 2017