Silica Dust Monitoring
Respirable crystalline silica (RCS) exposure assessment
What Is Silica Dust Monitoring?
Silica dust monitoring measures worker exposure to respirable crystalline silica (RCS) — a fine dust generated when cutting, grinding, drilling, or crushing materials containing quartz. RCS particles are small enough to penetrate deep into the lungs, causing irreversible scarring known as silicosis.
Australia's current Workplace Exposure Standard (WES) is 0.05 mg/m³ TWA-8h (respirable fraction). The Workplace Exposure Limits (WEL) list that takes effect on 1 December 2026 keeps the limit at 0.05 mg/m³. The limit is not a safe threshold: exposure must still be eliminated or minimised so far as is reasonably practicable.
How Is It Done?
Sampling via personal pump + cyclone. Lab analysis by XRD (NIOSH 7500) or IR (NIOSH 7602).
When You Need This
- +SafeWork improvement notice
- +Head contractor requirement
- +Baseline monitoring for new process or site
- +WEL transition preparation
- +Workers cutting, grinding, or drilling silica-containing materials
- +Health surveillance triggers indicate potential overexposure
Relevant Standards
Common Industries
Related Monitoring
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