Abstract
A number of activities in workplaces, such as such as those including cutting, grinding, sanding, drilling, loading or demolishing products that contain silica, can produce respirable particles of crystalline silica dust that are small enough to inhale. Inhalation of crystalline silica can cause silicosis which is incurable. Work practices are critical to prevent the condition from occurring and safe work practices are as relevant to workplaces as they are to training environments. This study considers methods of risk control and training practices such that silicosis is prevented.Training requirements are profiled in a vocational education and training setting and must include: crystalline silica hazards and health risks, including silicosis; effective use controls; use and maintenance of personal protective equipment, including Respiratory Protective Equipment; safe waste disposal; and, practices for personal decontamination. The training environment must be designed in a manner to allow for engineering controls, such as on-tool water suppression or on-tool dust extraction, to be utilised.
Highlights
In February, 2020, Safe Work Australia (2020b) advised that under the model Workplace Health and Safety (WHS) Regulations, a Person Conducting a Business or Undertaking (PCBU) must provide health monitoring for workers where those workers perform ongoing work using, handling, generating or storing crystalline silica, and there is a substantial risk to the worker’s health because of exposure
Work practices are critical to prevent the condition from occurring and safe work practices are as relevant to workplaces as they are to training environments
This study considers methods of risk control and training practices such that silicosis is prevented
Summary
In February, 2020, Safe Work Australia (2020b) advised that under the model Workplace Health and Safety (WHS) Regulations, a Person Conducting a Business or Undertaking (PCBU) must provide health monitoring for workers where those workers perform ongoing work using, handling, generating or storing crystalline silica, and there is a substantial risk to the worker’s health because of exposure. Safe Work Australia (2020a) advised that crystalline silica is found in sand, stone, concrete and mortar and materials such as soil, granite, rock, and many others. Engineered stone, sometimes called reconstituted stone, contains at least 80 per cent crystalline silica (Worksafe Victoria, 2020) as it is primarily developed from naturally forming quartz. When these materials containing silica are cut, crushed, drilled, polished, sawed or grinded, dust particles are generated that are small enough to lodge deep in the lungs and cause illness or disease including silicosis. Respirable crystalline silica dust is a hazardous substance which can lead to serious health effects if it is inhaled
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
