Dust is an unavoidable by-product of certain industrial processes — most often those involving the breakdown of resources like rocks or wood. However, smaller working environments in manufacturing are also prone to generating harmful levels of dust in the workplace.
Managing dust hazards in the workplace is not just necessary to create a healthy and safe working environment for you and your staff, but also a part of the business’s compliance obligations to Australian work and safety standards.
When and how is dust a hazard?
How harmful can a bit of dust really be? Dust hazards refer to tiny particles of material that linger in the air and work environment — these can cause serious health conditions when they are breathed in and enter the body in high concentrations.
Dust can cause occupational health conditions, resulting in lung scarring, silicosis, and even cancer from extended exposure to dust hazards over a long period of time, with symptoms only surfacing after decades.
Important regulations regarding dust hazards and management
According to the Workplace exposure standards for airborne contaminants (WES) set out by Safe Work Australia, a person conducting a business or undertaking (PCBU) must ensure that individuals in the workplace are not exposed to airborne contaminants such as dust hazards at a concentration exceeding the WES.
This will require actions to identify the level of dust hazards in the workplace to determine if there is a risk to health, implement appropriate strategies to reduce the level of dust hazards and ensure worker safety.
From 1 December 2026, the current WES will be replaced by the Workplace exposure limits – airborne contaminants (WEL list).
How is dust managed in the workplace?
The first step to address workplace dust hazards should be to find an alternative way to conduct the necessary work actions without generating dust particles. If the production of dust cannot be avoided, the following dust management strategies should be considered:
- The installation and use of the appropriate types of dust collection systems such as vacuum units and HVAC ventilation equipment which remove dust at the source and filter workplace air to remove airborne particulates.
- Spraying down surfaces where cutting or drilling occurs with water or using water suppression to help trap loose parties of dust.
- Ensuring the proper application of the right tools and techniques to minimise the production of dust.
- Educating on-site staff and operators of the dangers of dust hazards, as well as the safety measures in place to protect themselves from exposure.
- Adhering to adequate ventilation requirements for the workspace to remove contaminated air and introduce clean air into the working environment.
- Providing and enforcing the use of personal protective equipment (PPE) such as safety glasses, gloves, and respiratory masks to reduce workers’ direct exposure to dust hazards when working.
- Regular cleaning to prevent the build-up of dust in the workspace.
How often should dust monitoring be conducted in the workplace?
The workplace environment and affected workers should undergo dust monitoring at least once a year, or whenever a significant change may affect the level of dust hazards present, such as the installation of a new cutting machine, or a change in the building’s air filtering systems.
What steps should be taken if a worker experiences dust exposure symptoms?
Workers who display any signs of dust exposure symptoms could be a sign that the workplace is insufficiently equipped to manage the level of dust hazards present. In such cases, businesses should:
- Advise the affected worker to visit a health professional to diagnose the issue as soon as possible.
- Conduct a dust monitoring audit during regular operating hours to get a reliable measure of the level of dust hazards.
- Look at upgrading current dust management procedures or equipment to ensure more efficient removal of dust from the workspace.
At Searose Environmental, we specialise in the installation and maintenance of dust extraction systems for industrial workplaces in Brisbane and Sydney. We can help your business develop an efficient solution for dust management in the workplace.