Safe Work Australia releases new model Code of Practice to address risks posed by silica dust in the workplace

Safe Work Australia has published a new model Code of Practice for controlling respirable crystalline silica risks at work, giving businesses a clear management framework that safeguards employees from silica exposure.

The federal safety agency said the recently released model Code offers employers essential information on complying with the WHS Regulations to mitigate the risks posed by silica dust, ensuring the protection of workers and others.

Key points at a glance

• Breathing silica dust can cause silicosis, kidney damage and other irreversible respiratory disease.
• Fine particles are released whenever silica-bearing products are cut, ground, drilled, sanded or polished.
• Risk management duties apply to every person conducting a business or undertaking (PCBU).
• Elimination heads the control hierarchy, ahead of substitution, isolation, engineering solutions, administrative management and respiratory protective equipment.
• Written procedures, supervision, induction records and scheduled reviews underpin credible silica management.

Why silica dust management matters

Inhaling respirable crystalline silica (silica dust) can lead to severe health issues such as silicosis and lung cancer.

Silica dust is produced during the processing of materials that contain silica, such as when cutting, sanding, or polishing.

Because particles are microscopic, weak dust management lets contamination drift far beyond the task at hand, reaching nearby trades, cleaners and visitors. Preventive management therefore starts during planning, well before a job begins.

What the new model Code of Practice covers

The document explains how a PCBU identifies silica hazards, assesses likelihood and severity, then applies proportionate controls. Practical guidance covers:

• hazard management planning for cutting, grinding, demolition and clean-up tasks
• water suppression, on-tool extraction and enclosure as first-line management measures
• selection, fit testing and upkeep of respirators, plus documented maintenance management
• housekeeping and waste management so settled residue is never disturbed twice
• health surveillance requirements and confidential management of results
• consultation with employees, supervisors and site management

Who must comply with the new model Code

Any business whose activities liberate crystalline silica dust carries work health and safety duties — construction, tunnelling, quarrying, foundries, brick and tile manufacturing, monumental masonry and benchtop fabrication among them. Duty holders cannot delegate risk management away: principal contractors, subcontractors and self-employed tradespeople each hold obligations matched to their level of influence.

State and territory regulators adopt model codes into their own jurisdictions, so confirm requirements with your local safety regulator, and review any new SafeWork bulletins, before locking in a management approach.

Practical steps to manage risks from silica dust

1. Map every task. List activities that generate dust, then rank each by severity and frequency to set management priorities.
2. Eliminate or substitute. Order pre-cut, pre-drilled or lower-silica products so fine particles never reach the breathing zone.
3. Engineer the fix. Water suppression, local exhaust ventilation and enclosed cabins remain the backbone of engineering management.
4. Write the rules down. Job rotation, restricted zones and wet clean-up routines form the administrative layer of a documented management plan.
5. Fit respirators properly. Correct sizing, fit testing and signed records show genuine management commitment rather than tokenism.
6. Review and improve. Book a management review after incidents, method changes or whenever new plant arrives.

Documentation that proves your management system works

Regulators want evidence, not intentions. Evidence packs such as Safe Work Method Statements, written operating procedures, risk registers, induction logs and maintenance sheets together show that paperwork mirrors daily site reality. Safety professionals reviewing a project look first for that consistency.

Our editable safety templates cover the paperwork most sites need, including a Manual Handling (General Workplace) SWMS and a Workplace Hygiene Safe Operating Procedure for wet clean-up and decontamination routines. Each pack is written by experienced practitioners and formatted for quick, site-specific edits.

Resources and related model Code updates

More details, including the full text of the newly published model Code, can be found on the Safe Work Australia website.

• Silica Dust Code of Practice Update 2023 — what changed and how it shapes your dust management plan
• Managing Risks of Plant in the Workplace Code of Practice Update 2023
• Safe Work Australia updates the plant code
• new model Code for Elevating Work Platforms
• model Code of Practice for tower cranes

Compliance resources from our team are revised whenever regulators shift the goalposts, so crews spend less time drafting and more hours preventing harm. Consistent management discipline, backed by visible safety leadership, keeps silicosis off your site while demonstrating the duty of care each employer owes. Safety specialists on our team can help tailor documents to specific tasks and jurisdictions.