OHS WIN - New Silica Dust Regulations

Exposure to silica dust is extremely dangerous and can lead to deadly and debilitating diseases like silicosis.

Your CFMEU OHS Team campaigned hard and won tough new regulations that provide stronger protections for workers against silica dust exposure. This is a massive win, with Victoria now leading the way on silica-related OHS reforms. 

The Occupational Health and Safety Amendment (Crystalline Silica) Regulations 2021 come into effect on Monday 15 November 2021.

Increased protections include:

• Australia’s first licensing regime for engineered stone, including increased manufacturer and supplier duties;
• locking in Victoria’s prohibition on uncontrolled dry-cutting of engineered stone; and
• adding additional regulatory oversight of high risk crystalline silica work outside of engineered stone across all industries, including the construction and earth resources industries.

The Regulations will be phased-in over time to give workplaces enough time to prepare for the changes.

If you have any questions, get in touch with the OHS Team. If you think you may have been exposed to silica dust, contact our in-house workplace injury lawyer, Celeste Shambrook, on 0406 472 229.

READ MORE:

Guide to changes - OHS Amendment (Crystalline Silica) Regs 2021

Occupational Health and Safety Amendment (Crystalline Silica) Regulations 2021

Gazette notice