Clear the air: Silica and asbestos

16 October 2025

Prevention is your strongest protection.

WorkSafe ACT is urging the construction industry to stay vigilant when it comes to exposure risks from crystalline silica and asbestos. 

Recent inspections have revealed ongoing concerns around hazardous materials on construction sites. With targeted legislation now in effect, it's more important than ever for builders, tradies and site managers to understand their obligation and take proactive steps to protect their teams.

Why it matters:

  • Crystalline silica is found in common building materials like concrete, bricks, tiles, and engineered stone. Cutting or grinding these materials can release fine dust which can cause lung diseases, including silicosis.
  • Asbestos was once widely used in insulation and fireproofing and can still be found in older buildings. Disturbing it can release airborne fibres which can lead to deadly illnesses like mesothelioma and asbestosis.

The numbers are sobering. The Asbestos and Silica Safety and Eradication Agency estimates that 4,000 Australians die each year from asbestos-related diseases, many linked to workplace exposure. Data from the Australian Mesothelioma Registry shows that over 75% of mesothelioma cases since 2010 stem from occupational contact.

Regarding crystalline silica. national data projects that over 83,000 future silicosis cases and more than 10,000 lung cancer cases will arise due to workplace crystalline silica exposure.

Roles and responsibilities:

WorkSafe ACT takes a firm stance when workers or members of the public are unknowingly exposed to asbestos or crystalline silica. We've seen too many cases where workers are put at risk and families are forced to relocate due to contamination from renovations carried out by persons conducting a business or undertaking (PCBUs) who failed to properly identify and manage these high-risk materials.

Asbestos

A residential building constructed or refurbished before 1990, or a commercial building built before 2004 is likely to contain asbestos containing material. Noting this, in the ACT, any property built before 2003 should be assumed to have asbestos and involves specific duties around identifying and managing asbestos.

Any PCBU who carries out refurbishment or demolition work on residential premises must ensure that all asbestos likely to be disturbed is identified and removed by a licenced asbestos assessor and asbestos removalist before work begins.  

Licensed Asbestos Removalists must notify WorkSafe ACT at least 5 day prior to commencing removal. And a PCBU must notify WorkSafe prior to commencing work involving legacy engineered stone, such as kitchen benchtops.

Crystalline silica

In the residential and commercial construction industry crystalline silica can be found in many different natural and manufactured forms, including stones, rocks, quartz, sand, gravel, and clay. The crystalline silica content in materials can vary widely; sandstone can have up to 90% silica, granite typically contains 30% silica and concrete and aggregates will have a range of silica depending on its components.

As a PCBU, the Work Health and Safety Regulation 2011 prohibits the uncontrolled dry cutting of crystalline silica materials. In addition, PCBUs must ensure that all workers who work in a declared occupation, and all workers who may be exposed to crystalline silica dust during their work have completed the nationally accredited Course in Crystalline Silica Exposure Prevention (10830NAT).

NOTIFYING WORKSAFE ACT 

As the PCBU you must report all notifiable incidents to WorkSafe ACT as soon as you become aware of them. A notifiable incident includes an uncontrolled escape of a substance, which includes asbestos fibres and respirable crystalline silica dust.

Licensed Asbestos Removalists must notify WorkSafe ACT at least 5 day prior to commencing removal. And a PCBU must notify WorkSafe prior to commencing work involving legacy engineered stone, such as kitchen benchtops.

If the notifiable incident is a result of more than one business or

undertaking, then all businesses must notify WorkSafe ACT.

PCBUs must fill out and submit the Notifiable Incident Form. It can be found here: Notify WorkSafe ACT - WorkSafe ACT.

You can call us on:

  • 13 22 81 Mon-Fri 8:30am - 4:30pm,
  • 13 22 81 Weekends & Public Holidays 9:00am - 4:30pm.
  • 0419 120 028 after hours

FURTHER INFORMATION

For more information visit:

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