Product Overview

Summary: This Dust Management in Masonry Works SOP sets out clear, practical steps to control hazardous dust – including respirable crystalline silica – generated during cutting, grinding, drilling and chasing masonry. It helps Australian businesses protect workers’ health, meet WHS obligations, and maintain clean, compliant worksites without compromising productivity.

Masonry activities such as cutting, grinding, drilling and chasing concrete, brick, block and stone generate high levels of respirable crystalline silica and nuisance dust, which can lead to serious long-term illnesses including silicosis, COPD and lung cancer if not properly controlled. This Dust Management in Masonry Works Safe Operating Procedure provides a structured, step-by-step approach to identifying dust-generating tasks, selecting appropriate controls, and monitoring their effectiveness on Australian construction and maintenance sites.

The SOP guides businesses through practical control measures such as wet-cutting techniques, on-tool local exhaust ventilation, HEPA-rated dust extraction, exclusion zones, housekeeping and appropriate respiratory protection. It clarifies responsibilities between PCBUs, supervisors and workers, and aligns dust management with project planning, task sequencing and subcontractor management. By implementing this document, organisations can demonstrate due diligence under WHS laws, reduce the risk of regulatory enforcement, and create a safer, cleaner working environment that supports worker health and client expectations.

Designed specifically for the Australian construction and masonry sectors, this SOP helps standardise how dust is managed across different sites and teams. It supports toolbox talks, worker induction, and refresher training, providing clear instructions, checklists and decision points that can be easily integrated into existing SWMS, risk assessments and safety management systems.

Key Benefits

• Reduce worker exposure to respirable crystalline silica and other hazardous dusts, protecting long-term respiratory health.
• Ensure alignment with Australian WHS legislation, silica dust guidance and codes of practice, supporting regulatory compliance.
• Standardise dust control practices across projects, contractors and shifts to improve consistency and accountability.
• Minimise dust-related complaints, rework and clean-up time, improving site presentation and operational efficiency.
• Provide clear, documented evidence of risk management for audits, incident investigations and client prequalification processes.

Who is this for?

• Site Supervisors
• Construction Project Managers
• WHS Managers and Advisors
• Masonry Contractors
• Bricklayers and Blocklayers
• Stonemasons
• Concrete Cutters and Grinders
• Facilities and Maintenance Managers
• Health and Safety Representatives (HSRs)

Hazards Addressed

• Inhalation of respirable crystalline silica from cutting, grinding and drilling masonry
• Exposure to nuisance dust causing eye, nose and throat irritation
• Long-term respiratory diseases including silicosis, COPD and lung cancer
• Reduced visibility and slip hazards due to dust accumulation on surfaces
• Contamination of adjacent work areas, plant and equipment with fine dust
• Secondary exposure to dust for other workers and members of the public
• Manual handling risks associated with dry vacuuming and clean-up of settled dust
• Fire or explosion risk in confined spaces with high dust concentrations (where applicable materials are present)

Included Sections

• 1.0 Purpose and Scope
• 2.0 Definitions (including respirable crystalline silica and dust types)
• 3.0 Roles and Responsibilities (PCBU, supervisors, workers, subcontractors)
• 4.0 Applicable Legislation, Standards and Codes of Practice
• 5.0 Hazard Identification – Dust-Generating Masonry Tasks
• 6.0 Risk Assessment and Exposure Considerations
• 7.0 Hierarchy of Controls for Dust Management
• 8.0 Engineering Controls (wet methods, on-tool extraction, isolation)
• 9.0 Administrative Controls (task scheduling, exclusion zones, signage)
• 10.0 Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and Respiratory Protection Requirements
• 11.0 Step-by-Step Procedure for Dust-Controlled Masonry Works
• 12.0 Housekeeping, Cleaning Methods and Waste Disposal
• 13.0 Air Monitoring, Health Monitoring and Record Keeping
• 14.0 Training, Induction and Toolbox Talks
• 15.0 Emergency and Incident Response (overexposure, complaints, regulator visits)
• 16.0 Inspection, Maintenance and Pre-Use Checks for Dust Control Equipment
• 17.0 Review, Audit and Continuous Improvement
• 18.0 Document Control and Version History

Legislation & References

• Work Health and Safety Act 2011 (Cth and corresponding state and territory Acts)
• Work Health and Safety Regulations 2011 (and state/territory equivalents) – provisions relating to airborne contaminants and hazardous chemicals
• Safe Work Australia – Managing the Risks of Respirable Crystalline Silica from Engineered Stone in the Workplace: Code of Practice (as guidance for silica control measures in masonry tasks)
• Safe Work Australia – Managing the Work Environment and Facilities: Code of Practice
• Safe Work Australia – How to Safely Remove Silica Dust from the Workplace (guidance material)
• AS/NZS 1715: Selection, use and maintenance of respiratory protective equipment
• AS/NZS 1716: Respiratory protective devices
• AS/NZS 1269.3: Occupational noise management – Hearing protector program (where cutting/grinding noise is present alongside dust control)
• AS/NZS 60335.2.69: Particular requirements for wet and dry vacuum cleaners, including dust extractors