All employers are under a general duty to provide a safe workplace. A dusty work environment is known to be linked to chronic respiratory health issues. There are two general types of dust:
Silica (SiO2) is a naturally occurring widely abundant mineral that forms the major component of most rocks and soils. There are non-crystalline and crystalline forms of silicon dioxide. In dry form, only fine crystialine silica constitutes a chronic respirable dust hazard, since its inhalation as airborne dust could give rise to silicosis and lung cancer. The non-crystalline form of silica does not cause this kind of lung damage.
There are recommended limits for employee exposure to inhalable dust and respirable dust, fibres, and crystalline silica. There is no specific recommended exposure limits for non-specific respirable dust, however the position paper from the AIOH suggests an exposure limit that is commonly used. If it is suspected that employees may be exposed to excessive dust levels, monitoring will confirm the exposure and assist in identifying problem locations and developing control strategies.
HAZCON can assist you to:
Additionally, depending upon the location and type of workplace, along with any chemicals that may be used during processes within your facility, further analysis may be needed to determine if any constituents of the dust may be having an impact on employee health. This can include additives used within processes on site, along with other sources such as lead or chromium dust from working on old structures. HAZCON can tailor and develop an assessment to determine employees exposure to ensure they do not exceed any workplace exposure standards.
All HAZCON occupational hygiene works and recommendations to clients are undertaken to provide guidance to employers as to their duties to comply with appropriate Victorian Legislation, relevant Australian Standards and best practice.
Dust monitoring is carried out in accordance with the:
And with reference to:
If you would like more information or a quote for dust assessment please Contact Us
Hygiene monitoring encompasses a host of areas that HAZCON has specific expertise, including;
Synthetic Mineral Fibre (SMF) Monitoring
Occupational Hygiene Monitoring
Biaerosol (Mould, Fungi) Sampling
Posted in: Andy Perry |