The ACT Government began rolling out its Work Health and Safety reforms for activities relating to silica dust on 1 July 2022. Under the Work Health and Safety Regulation 2011 section 418D (2) (b), trades with the potential to be exposed to silica dust must be trained in crystalline silica awareness by 1 July 2023. You can find a full list of these trades that must be trained here.
This means that all persons conducting a business or undertaking (PCBU) must ensure all workers on site have completed training in crystalline silica awareness. This mandatory training requirement also applies to all out of state workers from 1 July 2023.
Members are reminded that all relevant employees must have completed the mandatory Silica training by 1 July 2023.
At the time of this publication the deadline for the mandatory silica training has not been extended, nor has there been any indication from the ACT Government to expect an extension or transition period.
The Master Builders Association ACT training schedule is currently fully booked, though we are undertaking to create more availability. Members who still require silica training are encouraged to contact MBA ACT to be placed on our waiting list in the interim or, alternatively, contact other training providers in the ACT.
If you have any questions in relation to Silica, please contact our Workplace Relations and Legal Team on (02) 6175 5900.