Regardless of the project, every construction site needs to be a safe environment for workers. If the right steps aren't taken to minimise hazards, the chances of somebody falling ill or having an accident are exponentially greater, putting not just their health and wellbeing at risk, but the job as a whole. While there are all sorts of different hazards that need to be accounted for, few are as potentially dangerous as respirable crystalline silica dust.
Silica is the second most common mineral in the earth's crust, and can be found in everything from fiber cement boards to stone and clay. When these materials are worked with (for example, via drilling, cutting, grinding or breaking), a form of dust known as respirable crystalline silica (RCS) can be produced and breathed in by a worker, with exposure leading to all sorts of different health issues. Fortunately, it's possible to minimise the risks associated with silica dust by removing it from a building site, and doing so is a key part of meeting occupational health and safety (OHS) standards.