Construction dust concerns
Extract from article from WSHQ 5 April 2019
Crystalline silica (quartz) is a common mineral found in:
· most rocks, sands, and clays
· products such as concrete, mortar, brick, blocks, pavers, tiles, natural and composite stone benchtops
· cement-based materials such as fibre-cement sheeting and autoclaved-aerated concrete.
Dust containing respirable crystalline silica (RCS) is generated by high-energy processes such as cutting, sawing, grinding, drilling, polishing, scabbling and crushing of silica-containing materials.
RCS particles are so small they cannot be seen under ordinary lighting, and stay airborne long after larger particles have settled to the ground – the small particle size means it is easily inhaled deep into the lungs.
Certain work processes can also create RCS exposure risks, including housekeeping activities involving dry sweeping, compressed air or blowers on silica-containing dusts.
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