Email to installers earlier this year.
"I had a very interesting conversation with an installer in NSW following a site visit by an inspector from Safework NSW. He was there regarding another trade on the same building site but took an interest in the concrete grinding.
It is becoming clear that Silica dust management is becoming a greater priority for these inspectors, so it will pay for you to be aware of some of the questions that arose as a result of the inspection.
What induction, information, training and supervision is provided to workers who dry grind concrete.
When the filters of the vacuum systems are cleaned and serviced in accordance with the use and manufacturers
specifications. How is this process managed and logged?
The process when workers are to change their RPE filters, and RPE.
What system is used to remove residual silica dust from the workers clothing when they have been working in the dry grinding environment.
How a dry grinding environment is to be encapsulated to prevent others from a possible silica exposure.
Below is a link to a fact sheet that I found to be a particularly useful summary to understand what is expected of you. In particular, take a look at the health monitoring and control measures. If you are not doing them already, you want to spend some time developing these good practices for your business.
PS> Silica risk is not limited to concrete grinding, you will need to manage the same risk if you are mixing cementitious levelers, SL Resin filler or even resin mortars that list crystalline silica as a hazard."
_800x271a.png)
Leave a Comment
"I had a very interesting conversation with an installer in NSW following a site visit by an inspector from Safework NSW. He was there regarding another trade on the same building site but took an interest in the concrete grinding.
It is becoming clear that Silica dust management is becoming a greater priority for these inspectors, so it will pay for you to be aware of some of the questions that arose as a result of the inspection.
What induction, information, training and supervision is provided to workers who dry grind concrete.
When the filters of the vacuum systems are cleaned and serviced in accordance with the use and manufacturers
specifications. How is this process managed and logged?
The process when workers are to change their RPE filters, and RPE.
What system is used to remove residual silica dust from the workers clothing when they have been working in the dry grinding environment.
How a dry grinding environment is to be encapsulated to prevent others from a possible silica exposure.
Below is a link to a fact sheet that I found to be a particularly useful summary to understand what is expected of you. In particular, take a look at the health monitoring and control measures. If you are not doing them already, you want to spend some time developing these good practices for your business.
www.safework.nsw.gov.au/resource-library/hazardous-chemicals/crystalline-silica-technical-fact-sheet
PS> Silica risk is not limited to concrete grinding, you will need to manage the same risk if you are mixing cementitious levelers, SL Resin filler or even resin mortars that list crystalline silica as a hazard."