Silica Respiratory Protection

Worksafe is targeting Silica dust in workplaces Australia-wide!

Under an "unprecedented" silica-dust intervention strategy unveiled in Victoria, WorkSafe are planning to target more than 300 high-risk workplaces, and intend to take a variety of enforcement actions including “banning work processes and changing workers' compensation laws”. Other states have also announced similar investigations or special attention to the sector. There are stringent new Compliance Codes, awareness of risks of working with engineered stone and other silica products, and bans on uncontrolled dry cutting.

Absafe recommends PAPR (Positive Air Pressure Respirators) for best protection; especially when many users are not clean-shaven.

Clean-shaven is a requirement for standard negative-pressure face masks (such as disposable and filter-face-mask respirators), as well as some close-fitted powered units such as Cleanspace. Powered helmet-masks or hoods, such as 3M-Versaflo and Sundstrom SR5-- series are a solution.