WorkSafe Victoria have released an important reminder for employers in quarry, mill and manufacturing businesses about managing risks from crystalline silica when bagging silica flour.
Silica flour is a finely ground and powdered form of silica sand used in a wide range of products – for example, cement, grouting compounds, paint. Respirable crystalline silica (silica dust) can be extremely harmful when breathed in and is found in very high levels in silica flour.
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Bagging silica flour is high-risk crystalline silica work (HRCSW), and a hazard control statement must be prepared and followed for all HRCSW activities. Exposure to silica dust can lead to deadly diseases, including:
- Silicosis
- Mesothelioma
- Acute silicosis (rapid development after short exposure to high concentrations of silica dust).
- Silicotuberculosis (silicosis sufferers are at a higher risk of developing tuberculosis)
- Lung cancer
- Kidney disease
- Autoimmune disease such as scleroderma
- Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
Silicosis occurs when crystalline silica dust scars the lungs. It's a serious and incurable disease, with symptoms including shortness of breath, coughing, fatigue and weight loss. In severe cases, silicosis can require a lung transplant or lead to death.
Under HRCSW (High Risk Crystalline Silica Work), you must:
- Prepare a crystalline silica hazard control statement (hazard control statement) before commencing work.
- Ensure that the work is carried out in accordance with the hazard control statement.
- Provide employees and job applicants with detailed information, instruction, and training regarding exposure to crystalline silica dust and the associated control measures.
You can find more information about HRCSW duties here.
Employers must control the risk of exposure to silica dust following the hierarchy of controls, most likely using more than one of the following:
- Use automatic machines to fill, seal and transport bags.
- Enclose the parts of the plant that generate silica dust.
- Provide and maintain adequate dust suppression or dust extraction systems.
- Clean work areas regularly with a Class H or M industrial vacuum or low-pressure water. This will help prevent a build-up of dust on plant, equipment, working surfaces and floors.
- Collect wet slurry with a HEPA filtered Dust Class H vacuum, or mop, squeegee or wet-wipe surfaces.
- Bag and label waste and ensure it is disposed of in line with waste disposal requirements.
- Provide appropriate respiratory protective equipment (RPE) and clothing.
- Provide adequate washing facilities and changing areas
- Provide employees with information, instruction and training on:
- the health risks associated with HRCSW
- the proper use of required control measures, including RPE
You can find more information about silica dust at our ohsrep.org.au page Silica - OHS Reps, including an Action Plan for HSRs.
We encourage you to refer to WorkSafe Victoria’s Alert here: Controlling risks when bagging silica flour | WorkSafe Victoria
