TECHNICAL PBP 18 can be downloaded at: vital to seek and take note of the safety reduce inhalation of the dust if the above www.rfs.nsw.gov.au/plan-and-prepare/ recommendations provided by the methods are not practicable, but it is not as building-in-a-bush-fire-area/planning-for- manufacturer of the product. Always check effective as methods that prevent the dust bush-fire-protection the product label and Safety Data Sheet becoming airborne in the first place. It is (if available). important to choose the right respirator for Silica Dust Hazard And Solutions Risk of exposure can be reduced the job and to ensure it is fitted properly on considerably by avoiding dry processes that the worker. A half face respirator rated at P1 How to safely protect yourself and other generate airborne dust. Water suppression or P2 efficiency will give better protection workers from developing silicosis – an systems or ‘wet methods’ should be used to than paper-type masks. Most workplace irreversible lung disease. reduce airborne dust where possible. If wet health and safety authorities have released Recently there have been reports of new methods are not practicable, use equipment guidance and recommendations to ensure cases of Australian workers developing with integral dust collection and/or use local that workers are not exposed to dust levels silicosis – a serious, irreversible lung disease. exhaust ventilation. Never dry sweep or exceeding the occupational exposure The disease is caused by prolonged use compressed air, instead use a HEPA standard of 0.1 mg/m3. exposure to respirable dust that contains vacuum and/or wet wiping to collect For further information about building crystalline silica. This is a mineral commonly surface dust. regulations, enquires may be sent to nsw_ present as quartz in rocks, sand and soil. Respiratory protection can be used to technical@hia.com.au The disease causes loss of lung function leading to shortness of breath and other serious consequences including, a greater predisposition to heart disease and lung infections. Inhalation of respirable crystalline silica dust also poses an increased risk of lung cancer. Occupational exposures to crystalline silica dust are known to occur in a variety of industrial operations where dust is generated from materials such as sand, concrete, bricks, tiles, sandstone and other stone. However, the recent spike in the disease is reported to have occurred in some of the workers involved in stone benchtop manufacture, where cutting, grinding or polishing of artificial stonebased products takes place. Artificial stone (also referred to as engineered or reconstituted stone) contains a high level of crystalline silica – typically more than 90 per cent. Hazardous airborne dust can be generated and inhaled when these products are dry cut, ground or polished. If you work with products that contain crystalline silica it is extremely important to be aware of the potential for exposure to airborne dust and what to do to ensure workers are adequately protected. It is BUILDING NEWS ISSUE 5/2018P19