Silica Dust Risk Assessment

Product Overview

This risk assessment covers planning, processing and clean-up activities that may generate silica dust. It supports planning and risk management by addressing material identification, dust controls, work areas, equipment, housekeeping and response to control failures.

Activities & Risks Covered

This assessment addresses activities and risks including:

• Identify silica-containing materials and assess tasks before work starts
• Set up work areas to limit entry and dust spread to nearby spaces
• Select, inspect and maintain tools and dust-control equipment
• Manage dust during cutting, grinding, trimming, polishing and drilling
• Review air monitoring and changes to materials, tools or work methods
• Clean work areas and decontaminate clothing, PPE and surfaces without redistributing dust
• Collect, bag and move contaminated waste while limiting dust release
• Use respiratory protective equipment and PPE as part of the dust-control approach
• Communicate dust controls, supervise work and manage changes to methods
• Respond to uncontrolled dust releases, worker symptoms and control failures

Who is this for?

For contractors, workers, supervisors and businesses carrying out activities involving silica-containing materials or silica dust.

Activities & Hazards Covered

Legislation & References

The template records model guidance used to inform the documented controls. Applicable WHS/OHS laws and adopted Codes vary by state or territory, so confirm the current local requirements when tailoring the assessment:

• Model guidance: Model Code of Practice: How to manage work health and safety risks — 5. Step 4 — How to review controls; p. 27.
• Model guidance: Model Code of Practice: Managing the work environment and facilities — 1.2 Managing risks associated with the work environment and facilities; p. 12.
• Model guidance: Model Code of Practice: Managing risks of hazardous chemicals in the workplace — 2.2 Safety Data Sheets (SDS); p. 16.
• Model guidance: Model Code of Practice: Work health and safety consultation, cooperation and coordination — 3. What is effective consultation?; p. 13.
• Model guidance: Model Code of Practice: First aid in the workplace — 3. First aid equipment, facilities and training; p. 12.
• Model guidance: Model Code of Practice: Managing risks of plant in the workplace — Assessing plant risks — work practices and procedures; p. 20.

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Standard Risk Assessment Features (Click to Expand)

• Activity-specific hazard identification and control measures
• Initial and residual risk ratings
• Assigned responsible persons for each activity
• Risk matrix and assessment classification
• Review, monitoring and sign-off fields
• Site-specific customisation before use