Silica-Generating Work SWMS

Respirable crystalline silica (RCS) causes silicosis — an irreversible and often fatal lung disease — and is classified as a Group 1 carcinogen by IARC. The WHS Regulation 2025 Part 8A introduces Australia's most significant silica reforms, including a mandatory silica register from October 2025, a binding Code of Practice from February 2026, and a 50% reduction in the workplace exposure limit from 0.05 to 0.025 mg/m3 in December 2026. This template covers all silica-generating construction activities with controls mapped to the new regulatory framework.

Legal Requirements

regulation

WHS Regulation 2025 Part 8A — Respirable Crystalline Silica

hrcw category

Work involving respirable crystalline silica

code of practice

Managing Respirable Crystalline Silica Dust (binding February 2026 under Section 26A)

section 26a binding

Yes — effective February 2026. Non-compliance is admissible as evidence of breach.

Hazards

Hazard	Consequence	Likelihood
Inhalation of respirable crystalline silica dust from cutting, grinding, drilling stone and concrete	Silicosis (irreversible, progressive, fatal)	Likely
Lung cancer from chronic RCS exposure (IARC Group 1 carcinogen)	Cancer, death	Possible
Accelerated silicosis from high-intensity short-duration exposure	Rapid lung fibrosis, death within 2-5 years of onset	Possible
Secondary exposure of nearby workers from uncontrolled dust migration	Silicosis in bystander workers not performing silica tasks	Possible
Kidney disease and autoimmune conditions from chronic RCS exposure	Chronic kidney disease, scleroderma	Unlikely

Controls (Hierarchy of Controls)

Eliminate silica dust generation by using pre-cut materials or alternative non-silica products where feasible

Use wet cutting methods with integrated water suppression for all concrete, masonry, and stone cutting

Provide on-tool dust extraction with HEPA filtration where wet methods are not practicable

Supply and enforce P2 (minimum) or P3 respiratory protection for all silica-generating tasks

Establish and maintain a silica register listing all silica-generating tasks, locations, and controls (mandatory from October 2025)

Conduct exposure monitoring at least annually or when controls change to verify compliance with the WEL of 0.025 mg/m3 (from December 2026)

Provide health monitoring including respiratory function testing for all workers with RCS exposure

Isolate silica-generating work from other workers using physical barriers and scheduling controls

Recent Prosecutions

Silica enforcement actions (multiple jurisdictions)$100,000–$400,000 (various cases, penalties uninsurable since 10 June 2020)

Workers diagnosed with accelerated silicosis after dry cutting concrete and engineered stone without dust controls. Employers failed to provide health monitoring, exposure assessments, or respiratory protection. Regulator enforcement increasing significantly from 2025.

2025 — Safe Work Australia National Silica Enforcement Reports

What Your SWMS Must Include

✓Silica register entry for each silica-generating task with material type, control method, and RPE selection

✓Dust control method for each task — wet cutting specification or on-tool extraction with HEPA filter model

✓Exposure monitoring plan — frequency, sampling method, laboratory analysis, and record keeping

✓Health monitoring program — baseline and periodic respiratory function testing for all exposed workers

✓RPE selection, fit testing records, and maintenance schedule for all respiratory protection equipment

Need a compliant Silica SWMS?

Our WHS consultants develop silica SWMS with exposure monitoring plans and health surveillance programs that meet the new WEL of 0.025 mg/m3 effective December 2026.