Crystalline silica and silicosis

Safe Work Australia has published amendments to the model Work Health and Safety (WHS) regulations which will strengthen protections for workers at risk of exposure to silica dust across all industries, including buildin

This resource outlines what additional actions you must take if your work involving silica dust is assessed as high risk.

This resource lists what to include in a silica risk control plan.

This resource outlines how to manage the risks from silica dust by using the hierarchy of control measures.

This resource covers what you must consider to assess the risks of exposure to silica dust at your workplace.

This resource outlines work activities that can produce silica dust.

This resource defines crystalline silica and respirable crystalline silica or silica dust, including how the dust is created and silica related diseases.

Flowchart for identifying and managing risks from exposure to crystalline silica.

This resource provides a summary of key changes to the regulation of crystalline silica substances in the model WHS Regulations from 1 September 2024, and how these changes affect workplaces.  

Download the PDF version of this issue |

A one page summary of the Engineered stone prohibition: Guidanc

Where to go for more information about the engineered stone ban and your WHS obligations.

The process of applying for an exemption from the engineered stone ban, as specified in the publication,

The definition of engineered stone as used in the publication,

A list of the key terms used in the publication, Engineered sto

A flowchart of the process PCBUs must follow to notify WHS regulators of work involving legacy engineered stone.

A flowchart of the process PCBUs must follow to apply for an exemption of an engineered stone product.

Safe Work Australia has published new guidance to assist persons conducting a business or undertaking (PCBUs) understand their work health and safety obligations relating to the engineered stone ban, which comes into effect on 1 July 2024.

This is the model form for PCBUs to notify the relevant WHS regulator when they intend to undertake the repair, minor modification, removal, or disposal of legacy engineered stone (permitted work with legacy engineered stone).

This document provides guidance to assist PCBUs understand their obligations under the WHS Regulations in relation to the engineered stone ban.

Download the PDF version of this issue |

On Friday 10 May, WHS ministers agreed to 2 sets of amendments to the model WHS Regulations, which will help protect workers from silicosis, a lung disease caused by exposure to respirable crystalline silica.

Work health and safety (WHS) ministers have agreed to the new WEL list and a harmonised transition period ending on 30 November 2026. This change comes after extensive work and consultation to revise the Workplace exposure standards for airborne contaminants (WES). 

This document is the list

On 22 March 2024, WHS ministers met to discuss the draft amendments to the model WHS Regulations to give effect to the engineered stone ban. 

WHS ministers met today to discuss the draft amendments to the model WHS Regulations to give effect to the engineered stone ban. 

Download the PDF version of this issue |

On 22 March 2024, WHS ministers representing the Commonwealth, states and territories agreed to progress a number of amendments to the model WHS Regulations to enable a ban on engineered stone benchtops, panels and slabs.

Download the PDF version of this issue | See other issues

Read the plain text version

Silica dust is a work health and safety hazard. It is produced when materials or products containing silica such as stone, bricks, concrete or tiles are cut, drilled, polished or ground.

This infographic outlines practical steps to manage the risks of silica dust at work.

In May 2023, Safe Work Australia commissioned the University of Adelaide to undertake a literature review and gap analysis of the scientific evidence to inform recommendations related to the three options for prohibition on the use of engineered stone in Australia.

Safe Work Australia has today published the

This Decision Regulation Impact Statement (Decision RIS) provides an analysis of the impact of a prohibition on the use of engineered stone under the model WHS laws.

On 28 February 2023, WHS ministers asked Safe Work Australia to undertake further analysis and consultation on a prohibition on use of engineered stone. 

Back to the May 2023 News Update

Michelle Baxter, CEO Safe Work Australia

Exposure to respirable crystalline silica at work continues to be an issue of national significance. 

Safe Work Australia is reminding all stakeholders that consultation on a prohibition on the use of engineered stone will close soon.

This Decision regulation impact statement (Decision RIS) provides an impact analysis of the regulatory and non-regulatory options to manage the risks of respirable crystalline silica at work. 

Safe Work Australia is calling for public submissions on how to best manage the respirable crystalline silica (silica dust) in Australian workplaces.

Safe Work Australia is seeking feedback on proposed policy options to manage the risks of exposure to respirable crystalline silica (silica dust) in Australian workplaces.

We are seeking feedback from stakeholders and the general public on the impact of regulatory and non-regulatory options to minimise exposures to respirable crystalline silica at Australian workplaces.