Control of Hazardous Chemicals

Barriers and Enablers to Control of Hazardous Chemicals—Silica Dust

The information provided on silica dust in Final Report—Barriers and enablers to control of hazardous chemicals in SMEs, was based on 19 surveys (most of any hazardous chemical group). Overall barriers to controls across the chemical groups included cost (30%) and not practical (11%). For silica dust, the most important motivation (100%) for protecting employees was moral rather than regulatory obligations.

Industry sectors surveyed regarding silica dust generation included floor and wall tiling contractors, stonemasons, foundries, quarries and manufacturers of glass coatings. All but one of the businesses understood the risks of silica, but frequently only in very general terms. Many had no knowledge of anyone being adversely affected by silica and challenged the legitimacy of the risk ascribed to silica and the recent reduction in its exposure standard.

Only 63% of the businesses understood the Regulations for controlling silica, risk assessments were undertaken by only 42% and a quarter of the businesses were rated ‘below requirements’ for general OHS compliance.

The level of provision of information and training on silica to workers was lower than for many other sectors surveyed.

All of the quarries surveyed had implemented dust suppression systems, particularly at crushing and associated plant. Water mist spray systems were considered to be the most effective while extractive systems had been found less effective and required frequent maintenance. Site monitoring and risk assessments had been used to determine the areas requiring specific control measures. Enclosed air conditioned cabins generally were used to isolate workers from dust hazards.

Respiratory protection was provided and worn for work in higher dust risk areas such as at crushers and for maintenance. Watering of site roadways was used to suppress general dust levels at the quarry sites.

Overall, businesses where silica dust was generated had a high reliance on PPE for at least part of their work, but had a lower than average compliance with its use.

The significant barriers to the control of silica include lack of risk control information, available risk control information not practical, Regulator had not provided practical advice, technical complexity of the controls and the lack of commercial benefit.

Discussions with quarry and foundry operators highlighted regulatory scrutiny as a significant driver for implementing improved controls.

You must be logged in to post a comment Login