This template is designed to help document details of any processing of a crystalline silica substance that is high risk, and the control measures used to manage the risks.

PCBUs intending to process a crystalline silica substance must assess and document if the processing of a crystalline silica substance is high risk, before commencing work. This template is designed to help document this assessment.  

Guidance about the process for obtaining an exemption from the engineered stone prohibition to carry out work involving the manufacture, supply, processing or installation of engineered stone benchtops, panels or slabs.

Examples of permitted work with legacy engineered stone and a summary of WHS duties.

This model Code of Practice provides practical guidance on how to comply with WHS duties to manage risks of working with respirable crystalline silica in the workplace. It is primarily intended for PCBUs. 

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.

A person conducting a business or undertaking (PCBU) who carries out high risk construction work has additional WHS duties. These include requirements to prepare, keep, comply with and review a safe work method statement (SWMS). 

A SWMS is a document that sets out: 

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.

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• PPE is anything used or worn by a worker to assist to reduce health and safety risks.

PPE is anythin

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• All workplaces, including workplaces in the construction industry, must have access to first aid.

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• Under the model WHS laws, all workplaces must have an emergency plan in place. This includes workplaces where construction work is being undertaken.

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• As a person conducting a business or undertaking (PCBU), you must notify your WHS regulator when serious injuries, illnesses and dangerous incidents happen at work.

Supporting information:

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• Working in heat can be hazardous.

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• Many people working in construction often have jobs that require them to work outside.

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• Working at heights is a high risk activity, and a leading cause of death and serious injury in Australia. 

In the construct

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• Working around traffic, including plant and vehicles, can be dangerous. Construction work is often undertaken around traffic.

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• You don’t have to be high off the ground for a fall to cause significant injury or death.

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• Construction work commonly includes scaffolds. They provide a safe, stable work platform when working at heights. 

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• Working in construction can involve exposure to psychosocial hazards and risks to mental health.

Psychosocial hazards are

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• Elevating work platforms (EWPs) are mobile platforms that lift or lower people and equipment from a base support.

There are different types and can include:

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• Workers in the construction industry pump concrete for work activities such as manufacturing pre-cast and tilt-up concrete panels, concrete formwork, slab construction and concrete pa

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• As a PCBU, you have a responsibility to ensure machinery in the workplace are safe to use and operate.

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• Workers must have a licence before undertaking high risk work.

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• Plant includes machinery, equipment, appliances, containers, implements and tools and any components or anything fitted or connected to those things.

Plant in

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• I would like an overview of the WHS hazards in construction.

Construction is one of the most dangerous industries to work in, because of its combination of hazar

• 

• I would like to know about general duties that apply to all industries under the model WHS laws.

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• I would like to know how to manage the risks.

Manage the risks

In construction, risks may arise fro

• 

• I would like to know how to manage the risks.

Manage the risks

In construction, risks may arise fro

• 

• I would like an overview of the WHS hazards in construction.

Construction is one of the most dangerous industries to work in, because of its combination of hazar

• 

• I would like to know about general duties that apply to all industries under the model WHS laws.

• 

• I would like to know how to manage the risks.

Manage the risks

In construction, risks may arise fro

• 

• I would like an overview of the WHS hazards in construction.

Construction is one of the most dangerous industries to work in, because of its combination of hazar

• 

• I would like to know about general duties that apply to all industries under the model WHS laws.

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• I am a PCBU and worker. I would like to know:

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• I am a worker. I would like to know:

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• I am a PCBU. I would like to know:

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• Plant includes machinery, equipment, appliances and tools used at work.

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• Noise at work can damage your hearing if it’s too loud.

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• High risk construction work: