The Queensland Government introduced a new safety Code of Practice, Managing Respirable Crystalline Silica Dust Exposure in Construction and the Manufacturing of Construction Elements, which commenced in Queensland on 1 May 2023.
The Code is a practical guide on how to meet your legislative obligations to manage the risk of exposure to respirable crystalline silica (RCS) in construction work, and the manufacturing of construction elements.
The Code applies to all construction work and manufacturing of construction elements, and workplaces covered by the WHS Act where this work is undertaken.
It concerns construction work and the manufacturing of construction elements when it involves both:
– the use of materials that contain 1 per cent or more crystalline silica
– tasks that generate dust containing RCS, or more RCS airborne.
Crystalline silica is a common mineral found in many building materials, such as:
- bricks, blocks, pavers, tiles and mortar
- concrete and cement, including products such as fibre-cement sheeting and autoclaved-aerated concrete
- most rocks, sands, and clays.
Tasks such as cutting, sawing, grinding, drilling, polishing, scabbling or crushing materials that contain crystalline silica can generate respirable crystalline silica (RCS).
Find out more here – WorkSafe.qld.gov.au
