Respirable Crystalline Silica Exposure Control Plan

Purpose. Sets out how Apex identifies, controls, monitors and reviews exposure to respirable crystalline silica from cement, sand, aggregate and mineral fillers at each site.

1.Why this plan exists

Cement, quartz sand, fly ash and mineral fillers used at Apex contain crystalline silica. Grinding, blending, packing, sweeping, cutting and grinding of concrete and cleaning of plant all generate respirable dust. Exposure above the workplace exposure standard over a working life causes silicosis and other serious lung diseases. This plan sets out the controls that must be in place and the monitoring that verifies them.

2.Tasks and exposure groups

The tasks with the highest potential exposure have been assessed and grouped into similar exposure groups. Each group has a control standard and a monitoring frequency. New tasks must be assessed before they start.

• Mill and blender operators at Yatala
• Packer and palletiser operators at Yatala
• Raw material intake and silo cleaning
• Concrete cutting, grinding and finishing at Bundamba
• Plant cleaning and housekeeping
• Laboratory sample preparation

3.Controls

Engineering controls are the primary means of control. Dust extraction must operate on every transfer point, hopper, mixer and packer and its performance must be checked at the start of each shift. Dry sweeping and compressed air cleaning are prohibited. Wet methods or on-tool extraction must be used for cutting and grinding concrete. Where engineering controls cannot reduce exposure below the standard, workers must wear a fit tested respirator of the type stated for the task.

• Local exhaust ventilation on all transfer points and packers
• Enclosed conveyors and sealed silo vents with reverse pulse filters
• Industrial vacuum cleaners with high efficiency filters for housekeeping
• Wet cutting and on-tool extraction for concrete
• Fit tested respirators where required by the task standard
• Clean-down and change facilities so dust is not taken home

4.Air monitoring

Personal air monitoring will be carried out by an occupational hygienist for each similar exposure group at least once a year and after any change to plant, process or controls. Results must be provided to the workers monitored and recorded against the exposure group. Any result above half the exposure standard triggers a review of controls.

5.Health monitoring

Workers in the exposure groups must be offered health monitoring by a registered medical practitioner before starting work in the group and at the intervals the practitioner recommends. Records will be kept for the period required by the regulation and handled confidentially.

6.Training

Every worker in an exposure group must complete silica awareness training at induction and every two years, and respirator fit testing every year. Supervisors must confirm training is current before assigning a worker to a listed task.

7.Review

This plan will be reviewed annually, after any monitoring result above the action level and after any change in the exposure standard or the code of practice.