Engineered stone, marble granite, concrete, and mortar all contain crystalline silica (silica). In addition, it is used to manufacture a range of items, including composite stone for kitchen and bathroom countertops, bricks, tiles, and some polymers. When employees cut, crush, drill, polish, saw, or grind silica-containing items, dust particles tiny enough to lodge in the lungs and cause illness or disease, including silicosis, are formed.
Respirable Silica Dust Monitoring
According to WHS Regulation 50, A PCBU must ensure that air monitoring is carried out to determine the airborne concentration of silica dust in a worker’s breathing zone, if necessary, to determine;
- whether there is a risk to a worker’s health, or
- if the PCBU is not certain whether silica dust levels exceed the workplace exposure standard.
Air monitoring can also be used to;
- check the effectiveness of control measures, including any new control measures
- inform workers of their pattern of exposure
- determine the right level of respiratory protection, and
- inform health monitoring requirements.
Air monitoring does not prevent disease and is not an alternative to implementing effective control measures. For that, you need a properly qualified hygienist to guide you in an effective control and management plan. Get in touch today, so we can help you ensure compliance with your legal duties.
Asbestos Monitoring
Before being banned in December 2003, asbestos was used in a range of industries including in the construction and transport industries.
It’s now illegal to make, import or use asbestos because of its long-term dangers to health. You might still find asbestos in older buildings and products, such as fibrous cement sheeting, flue pipes, drains, roofs, gutters, brakes, clutches, and gaskets.
You can’t tell if something has asbestos just by looking at it. Only a competent person can identify asbestos in the workplace. We have competent people, and licensed asbestos accessors who can help you with monitoring and development of removal plans. Get in touch if you are someone looking for an asbestos monitoring or management plan. We are providing our services all over Australia.
Noise MONITORING
WHS Reg, Part 4.1, r57(b) states the PCBU must ensure the noise a worker is exposed to at the workplace does not exceed the exposure stand for noise.
The model WHS Regulations says you must:
- identify noise hazards
- conduct noise assessments
- use suitable control measures, and
- provide personal protective equipment to workers.
You must also provide audiometric testing for workers who you require to frequently wear personal hearing protection for their work.
Remember, as per WHS Act section 36 Hierarchy of control measures, if your workers are exposed to a noise level above 80 dB(A) you need to put a robust action plan in place for reduction of noise. Providing ear protectors only will not make you compliant with the regulatory requirements.
So, if you are the PCBU with this legal duty, get in touch for getting noise monitoring done or get a noise control and management plan development.