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Preventing worker exposure to respirable crystalline silica

The Resources Regulator has released a position paper on the new silica management provisions in Chapter 8A of The Work Health and Safety Regulation 2017 that commenced on 1 September 2024. 

The Regulator considers compliance with sections 28, 106, 107, 124, schedule 1(8) and schedule 2(1) of the WHS (MPS) Regulation to be compliant with clauses 529A-529CE of the WHS Regulation with the following exceptions:

  1. Respirable protective equipment (RPE) is to comply with AS/NZS 1716:2012, Respiratory protective devices, and AS/NZS 1715:2009, Selection, use and maintenance of respiratory protective equipment
  2. A crystalline silica substance contains at least 1 percent crystalline silica, determined as a weight/weight (w/w) concentration.

Read the Resources Regulators position paper (PDF, 208.04 KB) for further information.

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