Silica in Safe Work Method Statements

REGULATIONS STILL APPLY TO NON-PROHIBITED SILICA WORK

26 July 2024

As of 1 July, the ban on engineered stone in effect in the ACT.

Businesses must not carry out work that involves the manufacture, supply, processing, or installation of engineered stone benchtops, panels, and slabs.

The prohibition does not apply to the repair, removal, minor modification and disposal of legacy engineered stone.

In these instances, where work involves processing crystalline silica material using a power tool or other mechanical processes, PCBUs must prepare a Safe Work Method Statement (SWMS).

SAFE WORK METHOD STATEMENTS

A SWMS should focus on the hazards identified for the high-risk construction work and the control measures to be put in place for the work to be carried out safely.

They should be concise and focus on describing the specific hazards identified for the high-risk work to be undertaken and the control measures to be put in place to ensure work is carried out safely.

A SWMS must identify:

  • the high-risk construction work activities to be carried out on-site
  • the hazards and risks to health and safety arising from these activities
  • the measures to be implemented to control the risks; and
  • how the control measures are to be implemented, monitored and reviewed.

For a SWMS relating to silica dust, it should consider ways to:

  • eliminate or minimise the amount of silica dust being generated and released into the air
  • prevent silica dust being breathed in by workers
  • clean up any silica dust, slurry or other waste produced; and
  • decontaminate workers’ clothing, footwear and protective equipment.

And include details on:

  • the percentage of crystalline silica in the product being used,
  • all sources of silica dust in the workplace
  • the dust control measures implemented for each activity
  • how dust control measures are integrated into daily shift routines, for example, tool box talks, pre-start checks and daily cleaning of work areas
  • how air monitoring is used to assess whether the controls are working
  • the systems in place to routinely inspect, maintain and monitor controls and equipment to ensure they are clean and functioning effectively
  • ongoing monitoring and review strategies, particularly in response to incidents, control failure or where the workplace exposure standard is exceeded; and
  • how risks, controls and any control failures, and where the workplace exposure standard is exceeded, are communicated and reported.

Safe Work Australia have developed a free interactive SWMS tool. This tool provides information on how to prepare and use a SWMS in the workplace. You can check it out on their website here.

WorkSafe ACT has also published information on SWMS, including a template and guidance note translated in multiple languages.

FURTHER INFORMATION 

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