Silica Dust Monitoring & Risk Management – Newcastle, Hunter Valley & Port Stephens
Respirable crystalline silica monitoring and risk assessment — protecting worker health and supporting WHS compliance across NSW.
Respirable crystalline silica (RCS) is classified as a Group 1 carcinogen by the World Health Organization and Safe Work Australia — meaning it is known to cause cancer in humans. There is no safe level of exposure.
Workers across the Newcastle, Hunter Valley, and Port Stephens regions involved in construction, mining, stone fabrication, civil works, and manufacturing face daily risks from silica dust generated during cutting, grinding, drilling, or demolition.
Under the NSW Work Health and Safety Regulation 2017, all PCBUs (Persons Conducting a Business or Undertaking) are legally required to:
Identify work processes that generate RCS
Conduct air monitoring if exposure is likely
Implement effective control measures using the hierarchy of controls
Provide health monitoring to at-risk workers
Maintain records of exposure assessments, control measures, and outcomes
At Confluence Environmental, we support businesses across Newcastle, Maitland, Cessnock, Singleton, and Port Stephens with tailored, science-led solutions to manage silica risk and ensure full compliance with SafeWork NSW.
Our Services – RCS Compliance Without the Confusion
We provide expert, independent silica dust consulting and monitoring across the Hunter Region to help businesses protect worker health and meet their WHS obligations.
Silica Exposure Monitoring
We conduct personal exposure monitoring using calibrated cyclone samplers, flow-controlled pumps, and filters worn by workers during high-risk tasks. All samples are processed by NATA-accredited laboratories using gravimetric or X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis.
We compare your results to the Workplace Exposure Standard of 0.05 mg/m³ (8-hour TWA) and provide:
Detailed reports with clear exceedance findings
Breakdown of exposure by task or tool
Control recommendations based on your operations
Task-Based & Full-Shift Assessment
We assess exposures during high-risk tasks such as:
Cutting bricks, concrete, or sandstone
Stone benchtop fabrication and polishing
Tunnelling, drilling, jackhammering, and site clean-up
We also offer full-shift monitoring to assess cumulative exposure on variable or multi-task days — essential for projects like roadworks or demolition in Newcastle and regional sites.
Silica Risk Assessments & WHS Documentation
We develop detailed, site-specific silica risk assessments tailored to your site and trade activities, in line with SafeWork NSW’s Managing the Risks of Respirable Crystalline Silica Code of Practice.
Your report includes:
Identified silica sources and exposure points
Current controls (e.g. water suppression, extraction systems, PPE)
Hierarchy of control recommendations for improvement
Health monitoring triggers and consultation records
WHS documentation formatted for easy inclusion in your safety management system or contractor compliance packs
Practical Control Support & Implementation
We go beyond testing. We help Hunter-based businesses:
Select and implement effective dust suppression systems
Design isolation zones or enclosed work areas
Review PPE choices, fit testing protocols, and maintenance
Develop silica-specific SWMS, SOPs, and toolbox talk content
Respond to SafeWork NSW notices or audit requirements
Industries We Support in Newcastle & the Hunter
We regularly assist:
Construction and civil contractors
Demolition and excavation crews
Engineered stone benchtop fabricators
Tunnelling and infrastructure projects
Local councils and maintenance teams
Recycling, manufacturing, and concrete plants
If your business generates dust, silica exposure may be occurring. We help you understand and manage that risk before it becomes a liability.
Why Choose Confluence Environmental?
Independent occupational hygiene consultants — we’re not aligned with PPE or equipment suppliers
Deep knowledge of local industries and work conditions in Newcastle, the Hunter, and Port Stephens
Fast, reliable turnaround with NATA-accredited analysis
Clear, defensible reporting aligned with Australian standards and WHS law
Trusted by contractors, councils, and asset owners throughout the region
Servicing Newcastle, Hunter Valley & Port Stephens
Including:
Newcastle
Lake Macquarie
Maitland
Cessnock
Singleton
Raymond Terrace
Kurri Kurri
Port Stephens and surrounding areas
Need expert advice?
Need to test worker exposure, assess silica risks, or meet SafeWork requirements?
Call 0493 042 642 or book online to request a quote or site visit. We’ll help you assess, act, and stay compliant.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) – Respirable Crystalline Silica (RCS)
Q: What is respirable crystalline silica (RCS)?
Respirable crystalline silica is a fine dust generated when materials containing silica — like concrete, brick, stone, mortar, or engineered stone — are cut, ground, drilled, or crushed. The particles are small enough to be inhaled deep into the lungs, where they can cause silicosis, lung cancer, and other serious diseases.
Q: When is RCS exposure monitoring required?
Monitoring is required whenever there is a risk that worker exposure may exceed the exposure standard. This includes tasks like concrete cutting, grinding, demolition, tunnelling, or engineered stone fabrication. If you're unsure, SafeWork NSW recommends conducting air monitoring to determine actual exposure and verify controls are working.
Q: What is the workplace exposure limit for RCS in Australia?
The current Workplace Exposure Standard for respirable crystalline silica is 0.05 mg/m³ as an 8-hour time-weighted average (TWA). This is a very low limit, reflecting how harmful silica dust can be. Many high-risk tasks can easily exceed this level without effective dust controls.
Q: How is silica exposure measured?
We measure exposure using personal sampling pumps worn by workers during normal tasks. The air passes through a filter that collects respirable dust. Filters are then sent to a NATA-accredited laboratory for analysis using X-ray diffraction (XRD) or gravimetric methods. Results are compared to the exposure standard and interpreted in a compliance report.
Q: What if silica levels exceed the legal limit?
If monitoring results exceed 0.05 mg/m³, you must:
Review and improve control measures (e.g. wet cutting, extraction, isolation)
Update your risk assessment and safe work procedures
Consult with workers and relevant health and safety representatives
Consider health monitoring for affected workers
Notify SafeWork NSW (if applicable) and take immediate action to reduce risk
We help you interpret results and implement a compliant response.
Q: Do I need health monitoring for workers exposed to silica?
Yes — if there is a significant risk of exposure, the WHS Regulation 2017 requires you to arrange health monitoring. This may include lung function tests, medical questionnaires, and chest X-rays under the supervision of a registered medical practitioner. We can guide you through this process and help determine when it applies.
Q: Who is responsible for managing silica risk on site?
Under WHS law, the Person Conducting a Business or Undertaking (PCBU) is responsible for managing health risks — including silica exposure. This applies to employers, contractors, site managers, and developers. If multiple duty holders are involved, they must consult and coordinate with each other to meet obligations.