Manage the risks to health and safety
PCBUs have a duty to manage the risks to health and safety when using, handling, generating and storing hazardous chemicals, including crystalline silica. PCBUs also have specific duties when working with any material containing 1% or more crystalline silica. These materials are called crystalline silica substances (CSS) and include common materials such as concrete, tiles and bricks.
For more information, see:
- Model Code of Practice: Managing risks of respirable crystalline silica in the workplace
- Model Code of Practice: Managing risks of hazardous chemicals in the workplace
Engineered Stone Ban
PCBUs have a duty relating to the prohibition on manufacturing, supplying, processing and installation of engineered stone benchtops, panels and slabs.
For more information, see:
Health monitoring
PCBUs have a duty to provide health monitoring for workers if they are carrying out ongoing work processing a CSS and there is significant risk to workers’ health because of exposure to respirable crystalline silica (RCS).
For more information, see:
- Health monitoring for crystalline silica guide
- Health monitoring for registered medical practitioners guide
- Health monitoring for persons conducting a business or undertaking guide
- Health monitoring when you work with hazardous chemicals guide
Workplace exposure to silica
PCBUs must ensure that workers and other persons at the workplace are not exposed to an airborne concentration of RCS that exceeds the workplace exposure standard (0.05 mg/m3 eight-hour time weighted average). This includes carrying out air monitoring if:
- you are not certain on reasonable grounds if the airborne concentration of RCS at the workplace exceeds the workplace exposure standard, or
- monitoring is necessary to find out if there is a risk to health.
For more information, see:
- Workplace exposure standard for respirable crystalline silica
- Occupational lung diseases - Air Monitoring
- Workplace exposure standards for airborne contaminants, and from 1 December 2026, Workplace Exposure Limits – airborne contaminants
- Guidance on the interpretation of Workplace exposure standards for airborne contaminants
WHS duties in your jurisdiction
Commonwealth and state and territory regulators oversee and enforce WHS laws in their jurisdictions. You can contact your WHS Regulator for information about the specific WHS duties in your jurisdiction.