How Is Silica Dust Created?

Silica dust is produced when materials containing crystalline silica are cut, drilled, ground, sanded, crushed or broken. These activities can release extremely fine particles of dust into the air.

Materials that commonly contain crystalline silica include:

• Concrete
• Mortar
• Bricks
• Tiles
• Stone
• Sand

These materials are widely used in construction, manufacturing, demolition and refurbishment work. Anyone working with or near these materials could be exposed to silica dust if suitable control measures are not in place.

What Is Respirable Crystalline Silica?

When silica-containing materials are disturbed, they can release microscopic particles known as respirable crystalline silica, or RCS. These particles are small enough to be breathed deep into the lungs, where they can cause serious and potentially permanent damage.

Respirable silica dust cannot always be seen, and workers may not realise they are breathing it in. The absence of a visible dust cloud does not mean that the air is safe.

Why Is Silica Dust Hazardous?

Silica dust is particularly hazardous because exposure can cause serious, life-changing and potentially fatal lung diseases. The health effects may take many years to develop, and damage can occur before a worker notices any symptoms.

Even short-term exposure to high concentrations of silica dust can place workers at risk. Employers and managers must therefore assess the hazards and introduce effective dust-control measures before work begins and long before symptoms appear.

Other Types of Harmful Workplace Dust

Silica dust is not the only dangerous dust found in the workplace. Different tasks and materials may also produce:

• Wood dust
• Plaster dust
• Cement dust
• General construction dust

Each of these dusts can present a risk to health when inhaled. Any fine airborne dust that reaches the lungs may be harmful and must be properly controlled.

Controlling Exposure to Silica and Construction Dust

Employers and managers must identify tasks that may create hazardous dust and put suitable control measures in place. Controls should be introduced before exposure occurs rather than waiting for employees to develop symptoms or health problems.

The key message is simple: if a task creates fine airborne dust, treat it as a potential health hazard. Preventing or reducing dust exposure can protect workers from serious long-term harm.