Respirable Crystalline Silica
Respirable crystalline silica monitoring and risk assessment — protecting worker health and supporting WHS compliance across NSW.
Why Silica Risk Must Be Taken Seriously
RCS is classified by the World Health Organization and Safe Work Australia as a Group 1 carcinogen, with no known safe level of exposure. Workers in construction, tunnelling, manufacturing, mining, and civil works are especially vulnerable.
Under the NSW Work Health and Safety Regulation 2017, all PCBUs (Persons Conducting a Business or Undertaking) have a duty to:
Identify tasks that generate silica dust
Conduct air monitoring where exposure is likely
Implement control measures using the hierarchy of controls
Provide health monitoring for workers at risk
Keep records of assessments, controls, and results
We support you through this process with practical, science-led solutions tailored to your site and workforce.
Our Services – RCS Compliance Without the Confusion
We provide tailored respirable crystalline silica solutions to help you stay compliant and protect worker health.
Silica Exposure Monitoring
We conduct personal exposure monitoring using calibrated cyclone samplers, filters, and flow-controlled pumps worn by workers during typical tasks. Samples are analysed by a NATA-accredited laboratory using X-ray diffraction (XRD) or gravimetric analysis.
We compare results to the Workplace Exposure Standard of 0.05 mg/m³ (8-hour TWA) and provide clear reporting, including exceedance advice, task breakdowns, and control recommendations.
Task-Based & Full-Shift Assessment
We assess both specific high-risk activities (e.g. cutting bricks, mixing mortar) and full-shift exposure where multiple sources of dust may be present. This helps you identify which tasks contribute most to worker exposure — and which control measures will be most effective.
For projects with high variability (e.g. demolition or roadworks), we also help design representative monitoring programs.
Risk Assessments & WHS Compliance Documentation
Our consultants develop site-specific silica risk assessments, tailored to your operations and aligned with SafeWork NSW’s Managing the Risks of Respirable Crystalline Silica Code of Practice. We document:
Identified sources of silica dust
Existing controls (e.g. water suppression, extraction, PPE)
Recommendations for hierarchy-of-control improvements
Health monitoring triggers and WHS consultation outcomes
All findings are formatted for easy integration into your WHS Management System, contractor packs, or tender documentation.
Control Advice & Implementation Support
We go beyond the test results. We help you:
Select effective dust control equipment and wet methods
Design isolation zones and site-specific control measures
Review PPE suitability and fit testing procedures
Develop or refine silica-specific SWMS, SOPs, and training
We can also provide toolbox talks, awareness briefings, or assist in responding to SafeWork NSW improvement notices.
Industries We Support
We regularly assist:
Construction, tunnelling, and civil contractors
Concrete cutting and masonry teams
Engineered stone fabrication businesses
Demolition and excavation contractors
Councils, transport, and infrastructure projects
Manufacturing and waste/recycling facilities
No matter your sector, if you're generating dust — silica could be present. We help you understand and manage that risk.
Why Choose Confluence Environmental?
We are independent occupational hygiene consultants — not affiliated with PPE or equipment vendors. Our advice is based on field experience, technical knowledge, and your regulatory obligations.
We’re responsive, professional, and clear. From site attendance to reporting, we deliver fast, actionable outcomes you can trust — backed by NATA-accredited analysis and aligned with Australian standards.
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.