Respirable crystalline silica (RCS) is a known hazard generated when manipulating products and materials containing silica that can lead to lung cancer, silicosis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and kidney disease. It is estimated that 230 Australians a year will develop lung cancer due to past exposure. This risk is predominantly born by construction workers, alongside miners, farmers, and engineers. Recent years have seen a notable rise in silica-related illness and death, particularly evident in Queensland and linked to an increase of engineered stone. It is estimated that in 2011, approximately 587,000 Australians were exposed to silica dust whilst working, and that 5758 will eventually develop lung cancer. Workers in engineered stone benchtop manufacturing, finishing and installation are at particular risk, as this comparatively new material contains up to 95% crystalline silica, as distinct from natural stone’s crystalline silica composition of 5%-50%. The focus of the Silica Safety project is to develop appropriate competency standards to meet the particular risks posed by RCS in building and construction.
commencement
consultation
assurance
Approval
This project was completed on the 19th of September, 2022.
Project summary
In October 2020, the Construction, Plumbing and Services Industry Reference Committee (IRC) requested further industry insights into the skilling and training needs relating to silica safety in the construction industry.
In February 2021, the IRC met and considered a Training Needs Analysis Report, which outlines the imperative to develop competencies that address silica in the workplace.
The IRC then agreed to proceed with the Silica Safety Project and endorsed the establishment of a Working Group to advise on the creation of new units of competency to address workplace and safety skilling gaps on silica.
A working group has been formed, and will have their fifth meeting in July to continue development of competencies on subjects such as hazard reduction, controls and supervision.
It is expected that the project will be considered for implementation by the Australian Industry and Skills Committee (AISC) in December 2021.*
*Due date is yet to be confirmed.
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Minimising the risk of respirable crystalline silica in the construction industry is an issue of national importance. The Construction, Plumbing and Services Industry Reference Committee (IRC) has been developing five units of competency to support skills and knowledge advancement to minimise the risks.
Draft 1 Consultation for the Silica Safety Project has now closed. Thanks to all who participated in the survey. Your feedback will be presented to the industry working group in October. The revised units of competency will then be publicly available on this page in November for Validation.
The following table summarises the approach taken to date and provides an overview of the intended learner outcomes:
| Unit code | Unit title | Learning outcome |
| CPCSIL1001 | Prepare to work safely with products and materials containing crystalline silica |
Demonstrate basic knowledge of silica safety. This is a knowledge and awareness unit. At this level, a person undertaking the unit is not working with silica products. |
| CPCSIL2001 | Use and maintain respiratory protective equipment |
Demonstrate competence using and maintaining respiratory protective equipment. The unit covers the planning considerations prior to using RPE, fit checking, compliant use requirements and maintenance of RPE. The unit is suitable for people who will be working with products containing crystalline silica and using RPE. |
| CPCSIL3001 | Work with products and materials containing crystalline silica |
Demonstrate competence in working safely with products containing crystalline silica. This unit is suitable for people who will be working with products containing crystalline silica across a range of work environments. |
| CPCSIL4001 | Supervise work with products and materials containing respirable crystalline silica |
Demonstrate competence supervising work with respirable crystalline silica (RCS). This unit is suitable for persons conducting a business or undertaking (PCBU), supervisors and managers responsible for ensuring the health and safety of employees, contractors and sub-contractors and suppliers when working with products containing crystalline silica. |
| CPCSIL5001 | Manage risks of respirable crystalline silica |
Demonstrate competence managing risks of respirable crystalline silica. This unit of competency specifies the outcomes required to manage risks of exposure to RCS by the PCBU. The unit includes planning for compliant use of respirable protective equipment (RPE), PPE and plant, tools and equipment when managing worksites with products containing crystalline silica. |
Project timelines
October 2021: Collation/unpacking of feedback, working group and IRC consideration of feedback
November 2021: Validation open for 4 weeks
December 2021: Working Group/IRC response to feedback.
January 2022: QA process
February 2022: STA sign-off
March 14 2022: lodge project with DESE.
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Minimising the risk of respirable crystalline silica in the construction industry is an issue of national importance. The Construction, Plumbing and Services Industry Reference Committee (IRC) has been developing four units of competency to support skills and knowledge advancement to minimise the risks.
The Silica Safety Working Group has considered feedback received and further developed the proposed units of competency. Since Draft 1 Consultation, three key changes have occurred:
- the inclusion of additional RPE/PPE components into the elements and performance criteria and performance evidence sections of CPCSIL1001
- the merging of the former standalone management unit into the supervisions units, to make an updated supervision and management unit now known as CPCSIL4001 Supervise and manage work with products and materials generating respirable crystalline silica
- editorial improvements in terms of the elements and performance criteria, performance evidence and knowledge evidence sections across all four units of competency.
The working group will be meeting in early January 2022 to consider the feedback received during Validation stage. Its recommendations will be presented to the Construction IRC prior to the components undergoing the standards editorial, equity and quality processes.
The following table summarises the approach taken to date and provides an overview of the intended learner outcomes:
| Unit code | Unit title | Learning outcome |
| CPCSIL1001 | Prepare to work safely with products and materials containing crystalline silica |
Demonstrate basic knowledge of silica safety. This is a knowledge and awareness unit. At this level, a person undertaking the unit is not working with silica products but need to demonstrate how to wear PPE and RPE, fit checking requirements, including the cleaning and storage of non-disposable RPE. |
| CPCSIL2001 | Use and maintain respiratory protective equipment |
Demonstrate competence using and maintaining respiratory protective equipment. The unit covers the planning considerations prior to using RPE, fit checking, compliant use requirements and maintenance of RPE. The unit is suitable for people who will be working with products containing crystalline silica and using RPE. |
| CPCSIL3001 | Work with products and materials containing crystalline silica |
Demonstrate competence in working safely with products containing crystalline silica. This unit is suitable for people who will be working with products containing crystalline silica across a range of work environments. |
| CPCSIL4001 | Supervise and manage work with products and materials generating respirable crystalline silica |
Demonstrate competence supervising and managing work with respirable crystalline silica (RCS) This unit is suitable for persons conducting a business or undertaking (PCBU), supervisors and managers responsible for ensuring the health and safety of employees, contractors and sub-contractors and suppliers when working with products containing crystalline silica. The unit includes planning for compliant use of respirable protective equipment (RPE), PPE and plant, tools and equipment when managing worksites with products containing crystalline silica. |
Project timelines
January 2022: Working Group/IRC response to feedback & QA process
February 2022: STA sign-off
March 14, 2022: lodge project with DESE.
PREVIOUS DOWNLOADS
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Minimising the risk of respirable crystalline silica in the construction industry is an issue of national importance. The Construction, Plumbing and Services Industry Reference Committee (IRC) has been developing four units of competency to support skills and knowledge advancement to minimise the risks.
The Silica Working Group met in January 2022 to consider the industry feedback received during the Validation stage and has finalised the proposed updates to the four new units of competency.
The project is now currently going through the Quality Assurance process and following that will be provided to the State Training Authorities for their review and sign-off.
It is anticipated that the Case for Endorsement will be considered by the AISC at their April 2022 meeting.
The following table summarises the approach taken to date and provides an overview of the intended learner outcomes:
| Unit code | Unit title | Learning outcome |
| CPCSIL1001 | Prepare to work safely with products and materials containing crystalline silica |
Demonstrate basic knowledge of silica safety. This is a knowledge and awareness unit. At this level, a person undertaking the unit is not working with silica products but need to demonstrate how to wear PPE and RPE, fit checking requirements, including the cleaning and storage of non-disposable RPE. |
| CPCSIL2001 | Use and maintain respiratory protective equipment |
Demonstrate competence using and maintaining respiratory protective equipment. The unit covers the planning considerations prior to using RPE, fit checking, compliant use requirements and maintenance of RPE. The unit is suitable for people who will be working with products containing crystalline silica and using RPE. |
| CPCSIL3001 | Work with products and materials containing crystalline silica |
Demonstrate competence in working safely with products containing crystalline silica. This unit is suitable for people who will be working with products containing crystalline silica across a range of work environments. |
| CPCSIL4001 | Supervise and manage work with products and materials generating respirable crystalline silica |
Demonstrate competence supervising and managing work with respirable crystalline silica (RCS) This unit is suitable for persons conducting a business or undertaking (PCBU), supervisors and managers responsible for ensuring the health and safety of employees, contractors and sub-contractors and suppliers when working with products containing crystalline silica. The unit includes planning for compliant use of respirable protective equipment (RPE), PPE and plant, tools and equipment when managing worksites with products containing crystalline silica. |
Project timelines
January 2022: Working Group/IRC response to feedback & QA process
February 2022: STA sign-off
March 14, 2022: lodge project with DESE.
PREVIOUS DOWNLOADS
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Project status
The Case for Endorsement has been finalised by the Construction Industry Reference Committee and has been submitted for consideration by the Australian Industry Skills Committee (AISC) at their meeting in April.
What happens next
Following endorsement by the AISC the project will be considered by the COAG Skills Council for final endorsement. When final endorsement is announced in the AISC Communique the qualifications will be added to the National Register.
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The Australian Industry Skills Committee (AISC) reached a decision at their 17 August 2022 meeting regarding the Silica Safety Project:
The Committee noted Skills Ministers endorsed updates to three of four units for the CPC Construction Plumbing and Services Training Package – Silica Safety Awareness Project approved by the Committee at its 12 April 2022 meeting. The remaining unit (CPCSIL1001 Prepare to work safely with products and materials containing crystalline silica) was not endorsed, with Skills Ministers citing safety concerns in complying with the unit’s assessment conditions.
Click here to view the AISC Meeting Communique.
The endorsed components are expected to be published on training.gov.au by early September 2022.
Artibus Innovation would like to thank all members of public and industry who contributed to the Silica Safety Project.
FINAL PROJECT DOWNLOADS
Case for Endorsement - Silica SafetyCPC Companion Volume Release 8.0
Units of Competency - Silica Safety