Silica Dust Control & Safety

Respirable crystalline silica (RCS) dust is a serious workplace hazard across the Australian construction industry. It can be generated when materials containing crystalline silica, such as concrete, bricks, tiles, mortar, stone and engineered products, are cut, drilled, ground, crushed or otherwise processed.

Because respirable silica dust particles are extremely small, they can penetrate deep into the lungs when inhaled. Repeated or prolonged exposure can lead to serious and potentially irreversible health conditions, including silicosis and other respiratory diseases.

This Silica Dust Hub brings together practical guidance, resources and specialist control solutions to help construction teams better understand silica dust, manage exposure and implement effective control measures.

Start by watching our Silica Dust Toolbox Talk or explore the resources below.

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Silica Dust

Silica Dust in Construction: The Facts

Crystalline silica is a naturally occurring substance found in many common construction materials, including concrete, bricks, mortar, tiles, sandstone, granite and other natural stone.

When these materials are disturbed through activities such as cutting, grinding, drilling, chasing, jackhammering, demolition or polishing, fine respirable crystalline silica dust can become airborne.

These particles are small enough to travel deep into the lungs and may not be visible to the naked eye. Repeated exposure can cause permanent lung damage, including silicosis, and may also increase the risk of other serious health conditions.

RVT Group Australia has created a practical Silica Dust Fact Sheet to help raise awareness of the risks, common sources of exposure and the importance of effective dust control.

Download Silica Dust Fact Sheet

Silica Dust

How to Control Silica Dust in Construction

As per the hierarchy of control, you should first look to see if there is a way to eliminate, substitute or isolate the risk by considering: alternative materials or different methods of work. If the risk cannot be eliminated or substituted you will need to implement appropriate engineering controls, such as LEV (local exhaust ventilation), commonly referred to as an extraction and filtration unit.

Select an extraction system that has a suitable capture hood, sufficient airflow, and a HEPA filter that will remove 99.97% of particulate. Position the capture hood as close to the activity as possible to ensure the majority of dust is captured at source. You can reduce the risk of dust migration further, by using enclosures or plastic sheeting to contain the work area. High airflow extractors can then be used to create a negative pressure environment, and ensure that any residual dust in the air is extracted and filtered.

Download Guide: RCS Control Measures

Silica Dust Extraction

Responsibilities of PCBUs

Management are responsible for conducting a suitable risk assessments and implementing effective control measures. They must also ensure the workforce understands the dangers of silica dust, and are properly trained on the use of any engineering controls and RPE provided. Management must also regularly review control measures & schedule occupational health assessments. If control measures fail, you must shut down the activity until you have a suitable replacement solution.

Workers (employees) also have responsibilities. Before starting work, familiarise yourself with the risk assessment and check that you have access to suitable extraction systems and RPE - Do not start without it. Always attend training, always follow procedures, always report problems with control measures and always attend your health assessments.

Download Poster – Silica Dust Responsibilities

Silica Dust Extraction and Engineering Controls

RVT Group Australia provides a range of specialist dust extraction and filtration equipment designed to help construction teams control airborne dust at source and manage dust migration.

Our solutions can be configured to support a range of construction, refurbishment and demolition activities, including work in occupied and sensitive environments.

Depending on the task and site conditions, we can provide systems for:

Capturing silica dust at source

Local exhaust ventilation

HEPA dust filtration

Negative-pressure environments

Dust containment

High-airflow extraction

Temporary construction dust control

Dust extraction

Our most popular dust control units include:

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DUSTEX® Raptor

Small and mighty dust extraction unit that provides a temporary solution during cutting, grinding, drilling or sanding, and is also suitable for use with activities involving silica dust.

DUSTEX® Raptor Pro Dust Filtration Unit

The DUSTEX® Raptor Pro is a mobile dust filtration unit designed to capture and filter airborne dust, helping control dust migration in enclosed and sensitive work areas.

DUSTEX® Wandafilta Pro

Delivering high-airflow Local Exhaust Ventilation (LEV), this powerful extraction unit is ideal for capturing hazardous silica dust at source to protect workers and maintain Australia's WHS compliance during indoor construction.

DUSTEX® Clearblast 2,000 Dust Filter Unit

A robust dust extraction and filtration unit designed to capture and control high volumes of fine airborne dust from blasting and industrial clean-up works.

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Technical Enquiries & Pricing

Please provide your project requirements in the form provided to receive a quotation or detailed technical specifications. Our specialist team will assess your site's needs to ensure this equipment provides the most effective hazard control solution.

Product Specification & Quotation Request

Interested in this solution for your project? Submit the form below to obtain a no-obligation quote or further technical information. An RVT Group specialist will review your enquiry and respond promptly with the details you require.

Silica Dust

Related Resources

Whitepapers & Guides

Dust

Whitepaper: Understanding the Dangers of Silica Dust - Risks, Regulations and Controls

Industry Insights

Australia Becomes the First Country to Ban Engineered Stone Due to Silicosis Risk

Best Practice

Lead Dust, Silica Dust and Coal Dust

Case Study

Dust

Crystalline Silica Dust Control During Tile Removal at Residential Renovation

Respirable Crystalline Silica Dust FAQ’s

Your Common Queries

Respirable crystalline silica, commonly known as RCS, is the very fine fraction of crystalline silica dust that can be inhaled deep into the lungs. It can be generated when silica-containing materials such as concrete, bricks, mortar, tiles and stone are cut, drilled, ground, crushed or otherwise disturbed.

Exposure to respirable crystalline silica should always be kept as low as reasonably practicable.

Australian workplaces are currently transitioning from Workplace Exposure Standards to Workplace Exposure Limits.

Until 30 November 2026, PCBUs must continue to comply with the current Workplace Exposure Standard for respirable crystalline silica.

From 1 December 2026, the Workplace Exposure Limits framework will apply.

Exposure limits should not be treated as a dividing line between safe and unsafe exposure. Effective controls should be used to minimise airborne silica dust as far as reasonably practicable.

Silicosis is a serious and irreversible lung disease caused by inhaling respirable crystalline silica dust.

The dust can cause inflammation and scarring of lung tissue, reducing the lungs’ ability to function effectively.

Silicosis can develop following repeated or prolonged exposure and, in some circumstances, can develop after more intense exposure over a shorter period.

Symptoms may include:

Persistent coughing

Shortness of breath

Fatigue

Chest discomfort

Exposure to respirable crystalline silica is also associated with other serious health risks.

Many common construction activities can generate respirable crystalline silica dust, including:

Cutting concrete, brick, stone or tiles

Angle grinding

Chasing

Drilling

Jackhammering

Chiselling

Demolition

Crushing

Sanding and polishing

Dry sweeping of silica-containing dust

The amount of dust generated depends on the material, process, equipment, duration of work and control measures being used.

RVT Group Australia takes a project-specific approach to silica dust control.

Once we receive your enquiry, one of our consultants can assess your project and understand factors such as the work activity, site access, available space, containment requirements and surrounding environment.

We can then recommend a suitable temporary engineering control solution, which may include:

Local exhaust ventilation

Dust extraction

HEPA filtration

Negative-pressure systems

Temporary containment

High-airflow ventilation

Dust monitoring equipment

Where required, we can also assist with installation, commissioning and ongoing support throughout the project.

PCBUs must manage the risks associated with respirable crystalline silica in accordance with applicable WHS legislation and regulations.

This includes identifying the hazard, assessing the risk, implementing suitable controls and ensuring those controls remain effective.

PCBUs must also provide workers with appropriate information, training and equipment and undertake monitoring where required.

Workers should follow workplace procedures and use the control measures provided.

This includes correctly using dust extraction, water suppression and RPE, attending required training, reporting problems and not proceeding with work where required controls are unavailable or ineffective.

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