WorkSafe ACT Request for Information – Changes to Silica Dust Requirements

The ACT Government introduced new regulations impacting the cutting of material containing crystalline silica with a power tool or other mechanical process, however, the commencement of these regulations was delayed until 17 October 2022. We are aware that there are many circumstances where the use of water suppression as a control to eliminate exposure to silica dust is either not practical or is unsafe. MBA ACT is extremely concerned by the mismanagement of this issue by the ACT Government and the imposition that these Regulations will have on the building and construction industry more broadly. Please note that the Regulations affecting engineered stone came into effect from 14 July 2022.

This week, MBA ACT submitted a response to the Request for Information regarding the changes to silica dust requirements.  Click here to view a copy of the MBA ACT Response.

Thank you to all of our members that have contributed to our submission.

Can members still provide feedback?

Responses to the Request for Information regarding the Silica Regulations were required to be provided before 5 September 2022.   We appreciate that there was only a short time between WorkSafe ACT’s request for information for responses to be provided, however, if you wish to provide a response to the request for information, we encourage you to do so as a matter of urgency.

To assist members in providing a response, MBA ACT has prepared the following template which can be submitted by an organisation directly to WorkSafe ACT. To obtain a copy of the template, click here.

All responses should be submitted to worksafe@worksafe.act.gov.au