Health monitoring when working with crystalline silica

Since January 2021, WorkSafe ACT has inspected over 47 workplaces that cut or modify engineered and natural stone. Inspectors issued 52 improvement notices, 46 prohibition notices and 7 infringement notices for breaches of the Work Health and Safety laws.

Of these, 11 improvement, 7 prohibition and 1 infringement notice were issued for breaches of health monitoring regulations (S368 and S418) of the Work Health and Safety Regulation 2011.

Under the Work Health and Safety Regulation 2011 a person conducting a business or undertaking (PCBU) has a duty to provide health monitoring to their workers who are continuously working with crystalline silica and where there is a significant risk to the worker’s health.

People who work with silica containing materials may inhale a very fine dust that contains silica. Once inside the lungs, the dust particles can scar the lungs. This scaring is known as silicosis. Silicosis can lead to breathing problems, a serious lung condition called Progressive Massive Fibrosis (PMF) and in some circumstances lung cancer.

There is no cure for silicosis, and it can be fatal.

Health Monitoring for Workers:

Health monitoring is used to help detect early symptoms of occupational diseases before permanent damage occurs. Health monitoring is not a diagnostic tool, and it is not a control measure to eliminate or minimise exposure.

For silica, health monitoring can be used to detect changes in a workers’ lungs and in their lung function. This can enable early removal from work that could cause further damage. It can also help with an earlier diagnosis and determine any treatment.

Health monitoring for anyone working with silica and silica containing products should begin before job placement and then at least every three years. However, for high-risk jobs such as working with engineered stone, health monitoring should be conducted annually.

PCBU Responsibilities:

WorkSafe ACT reminds PCBUs that they have a duty to provide health monitoring to workers who are continuously working with crystalline silica and where there is a significant risk to the worker’s health.

As exposure to very tiny amounts of silica is linked to the risk of developing disease, PCBUs should very seriously consider providing health monitoring to everyone who may be exposed including office workers in their business.

As the PCBU, you must inform your workers about health monitoring before they commence working with you (or as soon as you know that health monitoring is needed) and provide information on the following:

  • what is involved in the health monitoring program, for example how often testing might occur and which tests might be required
  • what health monitoring aims to achieve and its benefits
  • how and who to report symptoms to
  • potential health effects from exposure to silica dust
  • record keeping requirements, and
  • the worker’s health monitoring report.

Under the Work Health and Safety Regulation 2011 if you, as the PCBU, are required to provide health monitoring, then you must also pay all expenses for your workers health monitoring. This includes allowing your workers paid time off to undergo any health monitoring testing. .

WorkSafe ACT is committed to ensuring all PCBUs comply with health monitoring requirements.

Failure to comply will result in regulatory action and could include prosecution.

Further information

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