o adequacy of current control measures o an assessment of risk including identification of tasks not measured that are likely to be an exposure source and any workers that could be exposed but were not measured , and o compliance with WHS laws − recommendations , for example : o a dust control action plan o changing control measures and work practices o increased worker training o health monitoring , and o further air monitoring .
The air monitoring report should be made available to a WHS inspector on request and to a registered medical practitioner carrying out or supervising health monitoring .
Additionally , a PCBU must ensure that the results of air monitoring carried out are :
− − − recorded in writing or electronically kept for 30 years after the date the record is made , and readily accessible to workers who may be exposed to silica dust and their representatives .
Static air monitoring
Static or fixed position monitoring may be undertaken at fixed workplaces , such as fabrication workshops , to determine general background levels of respirable crystalline silica outside of a worker ’ s breathing zone .
Static monitoring involves taking samples of air from fixed locations outside the area where the engineered stone is being processed .
Static monitoring can help in determining the design of risk controls or the effectiveness of existing risk controls , however it should not be used as an indicator of actual worker exposure to respirable crystalline silica .
WHS Regulation Part 7.1 Division 6 Health monitoring
Health monitoring is the monitoring of a person ’ s health to identify changes in their health status as a result of exposure to certain substances . Health monitoring is important for workers who work with engineered stone because exposure to crystalline silica through silica dust poses a significant risk to their health .
Health monitoring for workers exposed to crystalline silica primarily involves screening the changes in a worker ’ s body that may indicate the development of silica related-injury , illness or disease . Health monitoring is necessary to :
− detect the early signs of adverse health effects − help identify control measures that are not working effectively , and − assist in protecting workers from the risk of exposure to silica dust .
More information about what ‘ significant risk ’ means can be found in the Health monitoring for persons conducting a business or undertaking guide on Safe Work Australia ’ s website .
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