Respirable Crystalline Silica
Respirable Crystalline Silica (RCS) Monitoring and Compliance Support
Silica compliance that protects workers and keeps projects moving
Respirable crystalline silica (RCS) is a serious health hazard in construction, demolition, civil works, manufacturing, tunnelling and quarrying. If your team is cutting, grinding, drilling, crushing, sweeping, or handling dusty materials, you need a clear plan to confirm exposure risk and demonstrate compliance.
Confluence Environmental provides practical RCS exposure monitoring, silica risk assessments, and control verification across Newcastle, the Central Coast, Sydney and regional NSW. If you need a fast, defensible result for WHS, tender requirements, or SafeWork expectations, call 1300 855 447 or email newcastle@confluence-enviro.com.au.
Why silica risk must be taken seriously
Silica risk isn’t theoretical. It shows up as preventable exposure during routine tasks and becomes a compliance issue when documentation, monitoring, and controls don’t match what’s happening on site.
Under the NSW WHS framework, PCBUs must identify silica-generating tasks, implement controls using the hierarchy of controls, and verify effectiveness through air monitoring where exposure is likely.
If you’re not sure whether you need monitoring, we can quickly screen your activities and recommend the most efficient path based on your actual tasks and risk profile.
What we do
Silica exposure monitoring (personal sampling)
We conduct personal exposure monitoring using calibrated pumps and cyclones worn by workers during normal tasks. Samples are analysed by a NATA-accredited laboratory using appropriate methods (gravimetric and/or XRD as required), then interpreted against the workplace exposure standard with clear, practical advice.
This service is commonly used to:
demonstrate compliance for projects and contractors
verify control performance (wet methods, on-tool extraction, enclosed cabs, etc.)
respond to WHS concerns or site audits
Task-based and full-shift assessment
Silica exposure rarely comes from one neat activity. We assess both:
task-based exposure (high-risk activities like cutting, chasing, grinding, jackhammering)
full-shift exposure (multiple dust sources across a day)
For variable sites (roadworks, demolition, mixed crews), we can design a representative monitoring program that balances statistical defensibility with cost control and minimal disruption.
Silica risk assessments and WHS documentation that actually gets used
We prepare site-specific silica risk assessments aligned with SafeWork expectations and formatted so you can drop them straight into your WHS Management System, contractor packs, or tender submissions.
Documentation typically covers:
silica sources and exposure pathways
existing controls and gaps, mapped to the hierarchy of controls
monitoring rationale and results interpretation
recommended control upgrades (practical and prioritised)
training/consultation notes and action tracking
Control verification and improvement support
Monitoring is only valuable if it drives better controls. We help you:
verify whether current controls are working in practice
refine wet methods, extraction approaches, housekeeping and zoning
review PPE suitability and program effectiveness
strengthen SWMS/SOPs for silica tasks
prepare a clear response pack if you’ve received a regulator query or improvement notice
What you get
You receive clear, decision-ready outputs:
a sampling summary (who/what/when/task conditions)
lab results from a NATA-accredited laboratory
comparison to relevant exposure criteria
interpretation in plain language (what it means, what to do next)
prioritised control recommendations tied to the hierarchy of controls
records suitable for WHS files, contractor management, and audit readiness
We maintain robust documentation and chain-of-custody practices.
Who we support
We work with:
construction and civil contractors
demolition and excavation teams
concrete cutting and masonry crews
manufacturing, recycling and industrial sites
councils and infrastructure projects
engineered stone and high-dust workplaces
If you need location-specific support pages for internal linking, you can also direct users to:
Ready to move your project forward with confidence?
At Confluence Environmental, we provide practical, science-led solutions across contaminated land, asbestos and hazardous materials, waste classification, acid sulfate soils, and occupational hygiene.
Complete the form below to request a tailored quote, book a consultation, or ask us a question about your project. We’ll respond within 24 hours with clear advice and next steps helping you stay compliant, reduce risk, and keep your development on track.
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.