Safe Work Australia has published a new model Code of Practice for managing risks of respirable crystalline silica in the workplace to help protect workers from silica. 

Breathing in respirable crystalline silica (silica dust) can cause serious health conditions like silicosis and lung cancer. Silica dust is generated when processing material containing silica, for example cutting, sanding or polishing. All silica-related diseases are preventable by eliminating or minimising exposure to silica dust.

The model Code of Practice gives employers practical information on how to comply with the WHS Regulations to manage risks of silica dust.

View the model Code of Practice: Managing risks of respirable crystalline silica in the workplace.

More information about silica is available on Safe Work Australia’s website.

To have legal effect in a jurisdiction, a model Code of Practice must be approved as a code of practice within that jurisdiction. Contact your WHS regulator for details about the requirements for silica in your jurisdiction.