Silica crackdown shakes up mining as SafeWork SA targets dust with tough rules smarter controls and zero tolerance for guesswork
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New rules, stricter enforcement and a state-wide crackdown are forcing South Australian mines and quarries to radically rethink how they manage crystalline silica exposure - or risk being shut down.
When it comes to managing airborne hazards in mining and quarrying, respirable crystalline silica (RCS) has long been a known risk. But a wave of regulatory change in South Australia - backed by a targeted compliance blitz - has elevated expectations and placed new responsibilities on industry stakeholders. For those in the mining sector, the message is clear: compliance is no longer optional, and good intentions aren’t good enough.
At a recent webinar hosted by SafeWork SA, titled Crystalline Silica Substances in Mining and Construction, mining and construction regulators laid out the new rules of engagement and offered timely guidance for operators, safety managers and business owners looking to stay on the right side of the law - and protect their people in the process.
Understanding the new regulatory landscape
Kate Geszner, education and engagement advisor at SafeWork SA, opened the session by setting the tone: “We’re seeing a large number of workplace exposure exceedances and complaints related to silica exposure,” she said. “That’s why crystalline silica substances are now a key focus in our biggest ever compliance campaign.”
The catalyst for change came in September 2024, when new regulations were introduced under Chapter 8A of South Australia’s WHS regulations, specifically targeting crystalline silica substances (CSS). The scope is broad: if a material contains more than one percent crystalline silica by weight - and if it’s processed in a way that generates airborne dust - it falls within the regulatory net.
And when it comes to the mining sector, that net captures nearly everything.
“Almost all materials that are mined or quarried in South Australia contain greater than one percent silica - including limestone,” said Michael Paterson, team leader of the mining team at SafeWork SA. “That means your risk assessment must take these regulations into account.”
Michael explained that the updated CSS rules are not standalone - they interact with existing mining regulations under Chapter 10, including those relating to principal hazard management plans (PHMPs) and safety management systems (SMS).
“A risk assessment prepared under Regulation 617 can serve double duty, but only if it meets the detailed requirements under Regulation 529C,” he noted. “Your silica risk control plan should be integrated into your SMS, and the controls must be effective so far as is reasonably practicable.”
What’s changed: from assumptions to evidence
The biggest shift in regulatory thinking? It’s no longer acceptable to assume that a task is low risk. If there’s uncertainty, businesses must err on the side of caution and treat the task as high risk unless proven otherwise.
“To determine whether your work is high risk, the most effective method is personal air monitoring,” said occupational hygienist Ryan Jurkowski from SafeWork SA’s Work Environment Team. “Static monitoring isn’t sufficient - it won’t meet compliance because it doesn’t reflect actual personal exposure.”
Ryan outlined a hierarchy of considerations, starting with the silica content of the material. “The higher the content, the greater the likelihood of exceeding the workplace exposure standard,” he said. That standard is just 0.05 mg/m³ over an eight-hour shift. And if a task is likely to exceed half that value, it’s considered high risk.
“You also have to consider task duration, frequency, the nature of processing - are you cutting, grinding, tunnelling or crushing?” Ryan added. “And if you don’t have valid monitoring data that reflects your specific site and process, then you must assume the worst.”
For small operators, the message wasn’t punitive - it was practical. “You can use similar exposure groups to guide your decisions,” said Ryan. “But you have to ensure the data is applicable - same materials, same controls, same work environment. Otherwise, it won’t stand up to scrutiny.”
High-risk work means high-level controls
If a task is determined to be high risk, a raft of additional requirements kicks in. These include:
- A documented silica risk control plan
- Accredited or regulator-approved training for workers
- Personal air monitoring
- Health monitoring by qualified medical practitioners
Michael emphasised the importance of embedding these requirements into existing safety frameworks. “We’re not asking mines to reinvent the wheel,” he said. “But we are asking them to integrate silica controls meaningfully. Your PHMP and safety management system need to reflect real-world tasks and conditions - not just tick boxes.”
Get dusty, get serious
While many mining operations have some form of dust management in place, Michael acknowledged the historical challenges of achieving effective control.
“We know that dust has been difficult to manage,” he said. “But the new standards require that controls are effective - so far as is reasonably practicable. That’s not a grey area anymore.”
Michael pointed to a list of controls that should be standard in most mining and quarrying environments:
- Water sprays and dust suppressants
- Pressurised and filtered cabins
- Bulk curtains and local extraction systems
- Enclosed processing equipment
- De-dusting booths for contaminated clothing
- Ventilation control, especially underground
He also urged sites to consider operational stand-downs during adverse weather. “If dust can’t be controlled, work should not continue,” he said bluntly.
PPE is not a silver bullet - but it must be done right
When primary controls don’t eliminate the risk, respiratory protective equipment (RPE) becomes mandatory. And here, too, the bar has been raised.
“If you’re issuing RPE, it must comply with AS/NZS 1716 and 1715,” said Ryan. “And fit-testing must be part of the program. It’s not enough to hand someone a mask - you have to demonstrate that it fits properly, and you need a respiratory protection program administered by a competent person.”
This is now an enforceable requirement, he added, not a best-practice recommendation.
Training that actually means something
A major point of confusion for many businesses has been the training requirement for high-risk CSS work. Ryan clarified that training must either be:
- Accredited, such as the 10830NAT course in Crystalline Silica Exposure Prevention
- Approved by the regulator, if internally developed
“There’s no shortcut,” said Ryan. “Internal training programs must be three hours in duration, delivered by a competent person - typically an occupational hygienist - and mapped to the regulator’s course criteria.”
Records of this training must be kept for five years after a worker leaves the business.
A campaign, a crackdown - and a helping hand
Inspectors from SafeWork SA will be conducting audits across South Australian mines and quarries throughout the 2025–2026 financial year. A self-assessment tool specific to mining and quarrying is in development and will be shared with industry soon.
“This tool will help operations prepare before our inspectors arrive,” said Michael. “We’re not trying to catch anyone out - we want to raise the standard across the board.”
Kate added that free resources are also available through SafeWork SA, including:
- A library service offering free access to Australian Standards (which often cost hundreds of dollars)
- A free advisory service for small and medium-sized businesses, with two-hour workplace visits available
Final thoughts: don’t just comply - lead
The final audience question of the day came from a small business operator asking whether wet cutting tiles or bricks on domestic sites triggered monitoring requirements. The answer was nuanced but telling.
“Technically, no - if you can demonstrate the task is unlikely to exceed the workplace exposure standard,” Ryan said. “But in practice, if you want to give yourself the best defence and protect your workers, you should conduct air monitoring.”
Stuart Robb, SafeWork SA’s construction team manager, chimed in with a broader reflection: “This is a killer. If I were running a business again, I wouldn’t want to assume - I’d want to know. Monitoring gives you clarity and confidence.”
For those in the mining sector, that’s the bottom line. Silica exposure isn’t just a regulatory problem - it’s a health crisis that requires leadership, commitment and follow-through.
“The stakes are high,” Michael concluded. “But so are the tools and resources available to get it right.”
Resources:
SafeWork SA Crystalline Silica Information: https://www.safework.sa.gov.au
Email: help.safework@sa.gov.au
Access to standards: SafeWork SA Library Service
Free WHS advisory visits: Available to South Australian small and medium businesses