Compressed air and blowers
Using compressed air or blowers can make respirable crystalline silica dust that has settled become airborne. When inhaled over time, the small particles of silica can irreversibly damage the lungs.
If it is not reasonably practicable to substitute compressed air or blowers with other safer methods, the following exposure controls are needed in accordance with Appendix 4 of the Managing respirable crystalline silica in construction and manufacturing of construction elements code of practice 2022 (PDF, 1.71 MB).
Step 1: Use suitable engineering controls
Engineering control options:
- Isolate the work area.
Details of controls - isolate the area
- Use physical or temporary barriers to stop contaminated air from spreading, such as temporary walls or sheeting.
- Barriers that do not prevent dust drift should only be used where there is natural ventilation (i.e. outdoors) and dust release is controlled.
- Enclose equipment that generates respirable crystalline silica dust.
- Provide workers with a separate break room or area away from tasks that create respirable crystalline silica dust.
- Work outside (follow manufacturer’s instructions and ensure respirable crystalline silica dust does not travel in the direction of other workers or other premises).
The size of the isolated area should be determined by a competent person after assessing the risk to all unprotected people. The prevailing conditions should be taken into account.
Step 2: Select appropriate respiratory protective equipment (RPE)
The type of RPE you will need depends on:
- what type of engineering controls you are using
- how long the worker is going to do the task during the shift
- where the work is being undertaken.
RPE is required when using compressed air or blowers.
| Engineering control used | Time spent doing task during shift | |
|---|---|---|
| Equal or less than 4 hours | Greater than 4 hours | |
| Isolate the area (Option 1) |
Outdoors P1 or P2 filtered RPE with a MPF 10 required |
Outdoors P1 or P2 filtered RPE with a MPF 10 required |
|
Indoors / enclosed area P1 or P2 filtered RPE with a MPF 10 required |
Indoors / enclosed area P1 or P2 filtered RPE with a MPF 10 required | |
For tight fitting RPE, workers must be fit-tested to the specific make and model before using it. See section 7.6 of the Code (PDF, 1.71 MB) for more information on fit-testing and other requirements for using RPE.
Health monitoring
A person conducting a business or undertaking (PCBU) must provide health monitoring to a worker if their tasks require them to wear RPE 30 times or more in 12 months.