For decades, asbestos was the invisible danger that left a lasting mark on the health and safety landscape. Today, silica dust is drawing the same level of concern. Found in concrete, stone, bricks, tiles, and countless building materials, respirable crystalline silica (RCS) dust is now being called the new asbestos and for good reason.
When workers cut, grind, drill, or manufacture silica-containing materials, fine microscopic dust is released and becomes airborne. As these particles are 100 times smaller than a grain of sand, they can be easily inhaled on a worksite without knowing. Unlike debris or visible dust, RCS lingers in the air long after a task is finished, exposing workers long after the activity stops.
Over time, this exposure can lead to serious health issues such as silicosis, lung cancer, kidney disease, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). According to the Cancer Council, it’s estimated that 230 people will develop lung cancer as a result of silica dust exposure.
Just as asbestos reshaped health and safety laws, silica dust is prompting new regulations across industries including construction, mining, manufacturing, and warehousing.
Regulations tightening around silica dust
In April 2024, the NSW Government launched a six-month campaign aimed at raising awareness and implementing measures to reduce silica dust exposure among construction workers. In addition, SafeWork NSW’s has introduced a zero-tolerance approach to tackling silica dust that includes issuing stop-work notices for workplaces that generate high levels of dust and those that fail to place the appropriate dust control measures.
With this in mind, employers are under increasing pressure to demonstrate proactive control of silica dust not only to meet legal obligations but to safeguard their workforce. This is where advanced industrial cleaning equipment plays a critical role.
Why traditional cleaning isn’t enough
Traditional cleaning methods such as dry sweeping or using standard vacuums may make a space look clean, but in reality, they often do more harm than good. These methods can stir up fine particles and redistribute silica dust back into the air, increasing risk instead of reducing it.
Work Health and Safety (WHS) guidance is clear: a comprehensive silica dust exposure control plan must be tailored to the environment and include engineering controls and effective housekeeping practices. This is where Tennant Australia’s solutions play a vital role.
Tennant’s industrial cleaning equipment with high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filtration technology is designed to remove silica dust circulating in the air, delivering protection for both employees and facilities.
Models including the Tennant S30 and 800 industrial sweepers are engineered with a multi-stage filtration system, where air passes through a series of progressively finer filters before reaching a fifth-stage HEPA filter. This final stage captures particles as small as 0.3 microns with 99.97% efficiency, ensuring hazardous silica dust is effectively contained.
The future of silica prevention
Just as asbestos forced industries to rethink building practices and workplace safety, silica dust is driving a shift toward proactive prevention. By replacing outdated cleaning methods with Tennant’s HEPA-equipped sweepers, businesses are able to create healthier, safer environments where workers are protected.
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