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Respirable crystalline silica (general)

Find out more information about respirable crystalline silica (RCS), your legal responsibilities and the steps you can take to keep yourself and your workers safe.

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.

Workplace exposure standard

Workplace exposure standard for crystalline silica
Since July 1 2020, the national workplace exposure standard for crystalline silica is an eight hour time-weighted average airborne concentration of 0.5 milligrams per cubic metre (mg/m3).

For benchtop industry

Engineered and natural stone used for bench tops contains crystalline silica, also called quartz. Cutting, grinding and polishing natural or engineered stone generates respirable crystalline silica, which puts workers' health at risk.

Due to the significant risk of exposure to respirable crystalline silica, manufacturing, processing, supplying and installing engineered stone bench tops, panels and slabs have been prohibited in Queensland since 1 July 2024.

If work is conducted on pre-installed engineered stone benchtops, including minor modification, repair, or for disposal, such work must be notified to the regulator here.

Safe Work Australia and jurisdictions have co-developed the Engineered Stone Prohibition: Guidance for PCBUs to assist businesses in complying with the ban and work on legacy engineered stone.

Silicosis in the engineered stone benchtop industry
WorkCover Queensland provides free health screening for current or former engineered stone benchtop workers in Queensland who have been exposed to engineered stone.

Silicosis and support for stonemasonry workers and employers
WorkCover is supporting stonemasons by ensuring they get immediate access to specialist medical diagnosis, treatment and ongoing rehabilitations and return to work services.

For medical practitioners

Guideline for assessing stone workers exposed to silica (PDF, 0.25 MB)
This guideline assists medical practitioners to identify silica-related respiratory disease in engineered stone workers.

For construction industry

Construction dust: respirable crystalline silica
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. Certain work processes can also create RCS exposure risks, including housekeeping activities involving dry sweeping, compressed air or blowers on silica-containing dusts.

Since 1 September 2024, stronger regulation the around the processing of crystalline silica substances (CSS) has been in place. CSS is defined as any material containing at least one per cent crystalline silica by weight.

Should the material you are working with be a CSS, please refer to the Working with crystalline silica substances: Guidance for PCBUs (PDF, 2.29 MB) for information on how best to comply with regulatory requirements and to manage the risks of RCS.

For abrasive blasting

Abrasive blasting: General health and safety issues
Abrasive blasting with sand, also called sand blasting, is prohibited in Queensland workplaces.

For people with work-related respiratory diseases

Support for people with work-related respiratory diseases
Are you concerned that dust in the workplace may be causing coughing, wheezing or shortness of breath? WorkCover Queensland's dedicated team can help you lodge a claim or answer any questions you may have.

Workplace Health and Safety Queensland reports

Safe Work Australia guidance:

Australian Institute of Occupational Hygienists (AIOH) Guidance:

HSE (UK) guidance:

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Last updated 22 May 2023