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07 — Dust and Asbestos

The three highest-consequence inhalation hazards in construction renovation: respirable crystalline silica and two asbestos codes (in-place management, and removal). These topics carry the longest record-retention requirements (40 years), the strictest health-monitoring schedules, and the most active regulatory change in the framework.

Topics in this section​

TopicOne-liner
[[respirable_crystalline_silica]]Engineered-stone ban (1 Jul 2024); ≥ 1% silica regs (1 Sep 2024); WES 0.05 mg/m³; HRCSW + Silica Risk Control Plan; wet + on-tool extraction + RPE.
[[manage_and_control_asbestos]]Pre-31 Dec 2003 presumption; register + management plan; leave-undisturbed > encapsulate > enclose > remove.
[[safely_remove_asbestos]]Class A / B licensing; ARCP; LAA air monitoring + clearance; wet methods + 3-stage decon + double-bagged disposal.

When to use this section​

  • Pre-renovation / pre-demolition of any pre-2003 building — confirm asbestos register, plan disturbance.
  • Any silica-generating task — cutting, grinding, drilling, polishing concrete, brick, tile, stone.
  • Selecting respirators for dust work — half-face P2 / full-face P3 / PAPR.
  • Health-monitoring scheduling for at-risk workers.
  • Engineered-stone work — confirm the work is permitted (legacy / removal) and notified.
  • §02 [[02 - Construction Work/_section_overview|Construction Work]] — HRCW SWMS; renovation / demolition triggers asbestos pre-check.
  • §05 Hot Work and Coatings — abrasive blasting (silica sand banned), paint substrate hazards (lead, asbestos coatings).
  • §06 Hazardous Chemicals — RCS and asbestos are themselves hazardous chemicals (Schedule 14).
  • §08 [[08 - Manual Tasks Noise and Confined Spaces/_section_overview|Manual Tasks Noise and Confined Spaces]] — tasks that combine dust + noise + confined-space hazards.
  • §01 [[01 - Foundations/_section_overview|Foundations]] — risk process, glossary.

Notes on currency — important regulatory clock​

  • Engineered stone: manufacture / supply / processing / installation prohibited from 1 July 2024. Legacy work (removal / repair / disposal) permitted with notification.
  • All materials ≥ 1% crystalline silica: stronger regulation from 1 September 2024.
  • RCS Code of Practice: minor SWA updates November 2025 (pp. 40, 41, 61); NSW jurisdictional commencement 20 February 2026.
  • New harmonised asbestos WEL applies from 1 December 2026 (transition ends 30 November 2026). Check the new value before quoting any exposure standard externally.
  • From 1 July 2026: complying with these Codes (or equivalent / higher) becomes a positive duty.

Verify the current edition + jurisdictional commencement before using any number in this section in a regulator response, contract, or SWMS.