Managing the Risk of Silica Dust

Silica dust poses a significant risk to workers. Around 600,000 Australian workers are potentially being exposed each year, according to the Lung Foundation Australia’s National Silicosis Prevention Strategy 2023-2028.*

It’s not just silica from engineered stone products. This potentially deadly dust can be released when a worker cuts or drills into brick, tiles, mortar or concrete. Exposure can happen in construction, mining and manufacturing as well as in other industries.

According to the workplace exposure standard for respirable crystalline silica (RCS), workers must not be exposed to levels of RCS greater than 0.05 mg/m3 over an 8 hour working day, for a 5 day working week.

With more stringent rules planned for 2026, Australian industry faces a major challenge. So how can employers protect business productivity, while complying with mandated silica dust requirements and optimising worker safety?

The Need for a Comprehensive Solution

A combination of mitigation strategies and dust extraction products can help employers manage the risks of silica dust and comply with the regulations. These include:

• Personal protective equipment: respirators, face shields, goggles and gloves.
• Engineering controls: wet cutting, ventilation and dust collection systems.
• Regular air monitoring: tracking workplace silica levels in real time.
• Dust extraction equipment: dust extractors, drill attachments, filters and guards.
• Training and education: helping workers understand how to protect themselves.

Extracting Silica Dust at the source with Bosch

Bosch Professional dust extractors offer a choice of wet and dry dust extraction. M-Class extractors are now the industry’s minimum standard when dealing with silica dust. H-Class extractors offer a higher filtration rate and a near-zero leakage to prevent contaminated air from escaping. In some states, H-Class is the minimum for material with higher silica content.

18V M-Class Vac: 99.9% filtration,\ HEPA filter, auto-start, Bluetooth® connectivity. Use with cordless tools.

M-Class Vac: 99.9% filtration, HEPA filter, automatic filter cleaning and air flow alarm.

H-Class Vac: 99.995% filtration, HEPA filter, near-zero leakage, automatic filter cleaning, airflow alarm, sealed filter.

On-tool extraction solutions feature HEPA filters for drilling with the freedom of cordless rotary hammers.

The new SDS Clean drill bits from Bosch extract the dust from within the hole before it becomes airborne. These drill
bits feature a full carbide head and are easy to clear if clogged.

Bosch dust extractors and many of the dust attachments can be used with any brand of power tool, except for tool specific attachments such as those for angle grinders.

Worker Safety is Top Priority

Richard Fallon, Marketing & Commercial Manager Bosch Australia - Power Tools, says protecting worker safety has flow-on benefits. “While the health of employees and those around them on site is the main priority, there are benefits to productivity, operating costs and downtime.” “You will also boost compliance as silica rules tighten up. Inspectors are already shutting down workplaces and issuing fines to non-compliant employers in some states. Bosch products help you stay ahead of the curve.”

Contact your local Blackwoods Technical Power Tool Specialist for more information.

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