New standards designed to reduce NSW workers' exposure to potentially toxic silica dust have been criticised as too weak.

Crystalline silica is found in concrete, stone, sand and mortar and is also used to make a number of products.

When these are cut, crushed, drilled, polished, sawed or ground, dust particles are created which are small enough to attach in someone's lungs, SafeWork NSW's guidelines state. Read more: au.news.yahoo.com