When to provide health monitoring
A PCBU must organise and pay for health monitoring if there is a significant risk to the health of their workers because of exposure to silica dust at the workplace .
This means that a PCBU must provide and pay for health monitoring for all workers involved in fabrication and installation of engineered stone . Examples of workers that the PCBU should provide health monitoring for include :
− shapers − machine operators including saw operators − finishers − − polishers , and labourers and supervisors involved in the fabrication or installation of engineered stone .
A PCBU should also consider providing health monitoring to other workers who might be exposed to silica dust from these processes . This includes workers who are exposed to dust while cleaning work areas or equipment , maintenance workers , salespeople , or those who perform administrative work in the vicinity of fabrication and installation .
A PCBU should provide health monitoring before a worker starts work to establish a baseline from which changes can be detected ( unless the worker has participated in health monitoring within the previous two years and the results of the tests are available ). From the initial health monitoring date , a worker ’ s health should then be monitored at least annually . At the end of a worker ’ s time working with engineered stone , for example , before retirement or before the worker ’ s duties change permanently , a final medical examination should be carried out by the registered medical practitioner carrying out or supervising the health monitoring .
Note : As workers may work for multiple PCBUs it is important to consider when they last participated in workplace health monitoring and consult with a registered medical practitioner to avoid them having excessive radiation .
Participation in health monitoring
Some workers may be reluctant to participate in health monitoring . This may be due to anxiety about the testing and medical results or the impact the results may have on their job , or both .
Under the WHS Regulation , a PCBU has a duty to provide health monitoring to workers where they conduct ongoing work at a workplace generating silica dust and there is a significant risk to their health because of exposure to silica dust . If a worker refuses to participate in health monitoring , a PCBU should first try the steps outlined below . If the worker still refuses health monitoring , a PCBU may take action to meet their duties under the WHS laws by removing the worker from the task or role that involves exposure to silica dust .
When considering the removal of a worker from the task or role , the PCBU should seek appropriate advice to ensure any action taken is consistent with other workplace laws .
A PCBU should encourage workers to participate and provide them with information and training on the purpose of health monitoring . Early detection of health effects can lead to an early diagnosis or treatment and prevent more serious and life-threatening conditions from developing .
Supporting a worker in these circumstances can be achieved by :
− − ensuring they know how health monitoring will benefit them making the process easy for them to follow
Managing the risks of respirable crystalline silica from engineered stone in the workplace - Code of Practice 23 of 57