Safe Work Australia has released a new model Code of Practice that sets out practical steps for employers to manage the risks of respirable crystalline silica in the workplace. The update comes amid growing concern about silica-related diseases and the urgent need for stronger protections across industries where exposure is common.
A preventable health crisis
Silica dust is generated when materials containing silica are cut, sanded or polished. Breathing in these fine particles can trigger serious, irreversible health conditions, including silicosis and lung cancer. The toll on workers has sharpened national attention on prevention, with regulators, unions and industry groups calling for tighter controls.
“The release of this Code of Practice is a critical step in protecting workers from one of the most serious occupational health hazards we face today,” ISSA senior director Gavin Macgregor-Skinner says. “Respirable crystalline silica or silica dust is invisible to the naked eye and can cause irreversible diseases such as silicosis and lung cancer, often many years after exposure.”
The key message is clear: silica-related diseases are preventable. By eliminating or minimising exposure to dust, businesses can safeguard their workforce and meet their work health and safety obligations.
Practical tools for employers
The model Code of Practice offers employers straightforward advice on how to comply with WHS regulations. It outlines strategies for identifying hazards, implementing effective controls and monitoring risks to ensure workplaces remain safe. The guidance is aimed not only at protecting employees but also at reducing risks for contractors, visitors and others who may be exposed on site.
“What makes this Code so important is that it not only sets out clear legal duties but also provides practical, evidence-based guidance on how to apply the hierarchy of controls—elimination, substitution, engineering and administrative measures—before relying on personal protective equipment,” Macgregor-Skinner says. “By embedding requirements for consultation, training, air monitoring and health surveillance, the Code reinforces that managing silica risks is both a legal obligation and a moral responsibility.”
Jurisdictional adoption required
Although the model code has been published nationally, it will only carry legal weight once formally adopted in each jurisdiction. Safe Work Australia advises employers to check with their relevant WHS regulator for confirmation on local requirements and implementation timelines.
Macgregor-Skinner notes the framework carries weight beyond Australia. “Ultimately, this document provides industry with the framework to move beyond compliance and take meaningful action to ensure that every worker goes home safe and healthy,” he says. “Other countries can use it as a technical and practical reference that regulators, employers and worker safety advocates could adapt to their local legal systems, exposure standards and workplace conditions.”
Resources and updates
The model Code of Practice: Managing risks of respirable crystalline silica in the workplace can be accessed through Safe Work Australia’s website, along with a dedicated silica resource hub covering occupational lung diseases. Employers can also subscribe to updates to stay informed on future developments and regulatory changes.
By acting now, businesses can help prevent long-term harm and create safer, healthier working environments for their people.
