Important: This SWMS template is provided as a starting point only. It must be reviewed and customised to reflect the specific conditions, hazards, and controls for your workplace and task. The PCBU remains responsible for ensuring the SWMS is suitable for the specific work. This template does not constitute legal advice. Refer to your state or territory WHS regulator for compliance requirements.

Asbestos & Hazardous Materials

Silica Dust Management — Safe Work Method Statement

Safe Work Method Statement for managing respirable crystalline silica (RCS) exposure during construction activities including engineered stone benchtop fabrication, masonry cutting, concrete grinding, and tunnelling operations.

Download this template

Personal Protective Equipment

P2 respirator minimum for all silica-generating tasks (AS/NZS 1716)Full-face PAPR with P3 filter for high-exposure tasks (engineered stone dry cutting, prolonged grinding)Safety glasses (AS/NZS 1337)Safety footwear (AS/NZS 2210)High-visibility vest (AS/NZS 4602)Hearing protection during cutting and grinding (AS/NZS 1269)

High Risk Construction Work Types

•Work with or near hazardous chemicals (respirable crystalline silica)

Risk Assessment

1.Identifying silica-containing materials on site

Hazard / Risk	Initial Risk	Control Measures	Residual Risk	Responsibility
Workers unknowingly working with high-silica materials without controls	High	Review the SDS for all construction materials before use. Identify all materials with silica content above 1% — including engineered stone (up to 95% silica), natural stone, concrete, mortar, sand, brick, block, and tile. Post an inventory of silica-containing materials at the site entry. Highlight engineered stone products — these are the highest risk materials and may only be worked dry by workers with specific engineered stone training and in compliance with state-specific regulations (which may prohibit certain dry work).	Low	Site Manager / WHS Officer

2.Cutting, grinding, and drilling silica-containing materials

Hazard / Risk	Initial Risk	Control Measures	Residual Risk	Responsibility
Acute and chronic silicosis from RCS inhalation during cutting and grinding	Catastrophic	Apply the hierarchy of controls strictly: (1) Eliminate dry cutting — use wet cutting methods with continuous water suppression for all concrete, masonry, and stone cutting. (2) Substitute — use pre-cut materials to eliminate on-site cutting where possible. (3) Engineering controls — use on-tool LEV (Local Exhaust Ventilation) with H-class HEPA vacuum for all grinding and drilling tasks that cannot be wet cut. (4) Administrative — rotate workers to limit individual RCS exposure below the WES of 0.05 mg/m³ TWA. (5) PPE — minimum P2 respirator; full-face PAPR for engineered stone tasks. Conduct personal air monitoring quarterly for all workers who regularly perform silica-generating tasks.	Moderate	Workers / Site Supervisor / HSE Manager
Adjacent workers exposed to silica dust from cutting operations	High	Establish a 6 m exclusion zone around all active cutting and grinding operations. Post 'SILICA DUST HAZARD — PPE REQUIRED' signage at the boundary. All persons entering the exclusion zone to wear minimum P2 respirators. Where exclusion zones cannot be maintained (e.g., confined spaces), supply all nearby workers with P2 respirators and rotate out of the area at 20-minute intervals. Conduct task-based air monitoring to confirm the exclusion zone boundary is adequate.	Low	Site Supervisor / Workers

3.Cleanup and housekeeping in silica dust areas

Hazard / Risk	Initial Risk	Control Measures	Residual Risk	Responsibility
Resuspension of settled silica dust during cleanup causing secondary exposure	High	Never use compressed air, leaf blowers, or dry sweeping to clean up silica dust — these actions resuspend fine RCS particles back into the breathing zone. Use wet mopping or HEPA-filtered vacuum cleaners for all cleanup activities. Apply water to floors before sweeping if vacuums are not available. Workers conducting cleanup of silica dust to wear minimum P2 respirators throughout. Dispose of silica waste slurry and vacuumed material in sealed bags — do not leave pooled or dried silica dust on surfaces.	Low	Workers / Supervisor

4.Health surveillance and air monitoring program

Hazard / Risk	Initial Risk	Control Measures	Residual Risk	Responsibility
Progressive silicosis undetected due to lack of health monitoring	High	Implement a mandatory health surveillance program for all workers regularly exposed to RCS: baseline chest X-ray and lung function test (spirometry) before commencing silica work; annual chest X-ray and spirometry for all workers in ongoing silica-generating roles. Use a registered medical practitioner with occupational medicine experience. Report any abnormal results to the worker immediately and refer to a specialist respiratory physician. Maintain health surveillance records for a minimum of 30 years. Provide workers with copies of their own health surveillance results.	Low	PCBU / HSE Manager / Occupational Physician

5.Engineered stone specific controls

Hazard / Risk	Initial Risk	Control Measures	Residual Risk	Responsibility
Extreme RCS exposure from engineered stone dry cutting or grinding	Catastrophic	Comply with all current state and territory regulations regarding engineered stone — note that some jurisdictions have banned or severely restricted dry work on engineered stone. Where engineered stone work is permitted, it must only be performed wet with continuous water suppression, on-tool LEV, and full-face PAPR (not half-face P2). Workers must complete engineered stone specific training. All engineered stone work to be conducted in a designated, controlled area separated from other workers. Conduct real-time air monitoring during all engineered stone tasks and stop work if readings exceed 0.02 mg/m³.	Moderate	Workers / Supervisor / HSE Manager

Relevant Codes of Practice

Worker Acknowledgement

By signing below, I confirm that I have read, understood and agree to comply with this Safe Work Method Statement.

Name: ___________________Date: ___________________