20 September 2019
From next month, the management of silica dust in Queensland will be specified in a newly finalised Code of Practice.
Queensland Government Minister for Education and Industrial Relations Grace Grace this week approved the Managing respirable crystalline silica dust exposure in the stone benchtop industry Code of Practice 2019. The code starts from 31 October 2019.
The code applies to the stone benchtop industry and provides clarity on:
- Specific dust controls that must be used, i.e. water suppression, local exhaust ventilation, on-tool dust extraction, and isolation booths;
- Prohibiting uncontrolled dry cutting or processing of engineered or natural stone;
- Safe onsite installation by eliminating the need for cuts and alterations by planning and accurate measuring or returning stone slabs to the workshop for further alterations;
- Air monitoring to be undertaken by an independent certified occupational hygienist at specified intervals.
- Minimum respiratory protective equipment to be used, i.e. powered air purifying respirators (PAPR) with a P2 filter for workers undertaking any cutting, grinding, trimming, sanding or polishing of the stone or cleaning and maintenance of workshops and equipment;
- Health monitoring for workers to establish a baseline, periodic monitoring and on exit of employment – adverse health monitoring reports must be provided to the regulator and trigger the review and revision of controls;
- Requirements to consult workers, their representatives where applicable, and other duty holders where a shared duty exists, i.e. labour hire; and
- Minimum topics in relation to information, training, instruction and supervision of workers.
In October, you’ll have the opportunity to attend one of ten state-wide information sessions being delivered by Workplace Health and Safety Queensland. The sessions, designed to promote the code, will be in collaboration with the Australian Institute of Occupational Hygiene.
If you have any questions or would like further information, we are here for you. Contact Master Builders WHS team on 1300 30 50 10.
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