Product Overview

This Tile Cutting Grinding and Silica Dust Control SWMS is a site-ready Safe Work Method Statement designed to identify hazards, implement controls, and protect workers from risks associated with tile cutting, grinding, and respirable crystalline silica exposure. It is a comprehensive document that covers multiple aspects of tile cutting, grinding and dust control to support WHS compliance and the safe management of High Risk Construction Work.

Activities & Specific Tasks Covered

This document includes specific risk controls for:

• Disassembling and reassembling large tiling machines, including isolation, lock-out and testing prior to use
• Drilling into tile, masonry or stucco surfaces with appropriate dust extraction, PPE and vibration controls
• Employing powered hand tools for cutting, shaping and bevelling tiles with guarding and safe operating procedures
• Selection, setup and safe operation of manual and powered tile cutters
• Tile cutting for outlet box inserts and service penetrations while maintaining edge quality and minimising breakage
• Tile cutting processes for straight, angled and plunge cuts on ceramic, porcelain and stone tiles
• Tile or ceramic cutting in wet and dry conditions with appropriate electrical safety and slip controls
• Setup, operation and maintenance of tile saws, including blade checks, guarding and water suppression systems
• Use of angle grinders for tile cutting with compliant guards, handles, cutting discs and dust control attachments
• Silica dust exposure control using wet-cutting methods, on-tool extraction and local exhaust ventilation
• Housekeeping and clean-up of slurry and dust, including safe use of H-class vacuums and disposal of waste
• Manual handling of tiles, tile boxes and machinery to reduce strains, sprains and crush injuries
• Noise, vibration and flying particle controls when operating cutting and grinding equipment

Who is this for?

This SWMS is designed for wall and floor tilers, bathroom and kitchen renovators, construction contractors, and site supervisors managing tile cutting, grinding and silica dust control activities on Australian worksites.

Specific Job Steps & Hazards Covered

Legislation & References

This document was researched and developed to align with:

• Model Code of Practice: Managing the Risks of Respirable Crystalline Silica from Engineered Stone in the Workplace – guidance on identifying, assessing and controlling silica dust risks
• Model Code of Practice: Managing the Risk of Falls in Housing Construction – where tile cutting is undertaken on roofs, balconies or elevated areas
• Model Code of Practice: Managing Noise and Preventing Hearing Loss at Work – controls for high-noise tile saws and grinders
• Model Code of Practice: Hazardous Manual Tasks – managing risks from handling tiles, machinery and materials
• Model Code of Practice: Managing Risks of Plant in the Workplace – safe use, guarding and maintenance of tile cutters, saws and grinders
• AS/NZS 1715: Selection, Use and Maintenance of Respiratory Protective Equipment – guidance for choosing and maintaining RPE for silica dust
• AS/NZS 1716: Respiratory Protective Devices – performance requirements for respirators used for dust control
• AS/NZS 2161: Occupational Protective Gloves – selection of hand protection for cutting and grinding tasks
• AS/NZS 1337.1: Personal Eye Protection – eye protection against flying particles during cutting and grinding
• AS/NZS 1270: Acoustics – Hearing Protectors – selection of hearing protection for noisy plant
• Work Health and Safety Act 2011
• Work Health and Safety Regulations 2017