Workplaces can present RCS risks ranging from trivial exposures to life threatening so the exposure risks must be managed by the PCBU.

Managing the health and safety risk from operations involving crystalline silica commences with an assessment of information in the SDS or other technical information where no SDS is likely to be present. Because silica has such a central role in products related to construction, extractive industries, metal production and metal working, elimination of all risk associated with silica is impractical in most situations.

Management of silica related risk is thus reduced to one of minimising the risk of exposure to dusts containing RCS. This is usually achieved by ventilation and use of respiratory protection, or a combination of these.

Importantly though, managing the risk may require demonstrating that no person is exposed to a substance (RCS) in an airborne concentration that exceeds its exposure standard. The maximum level of exposure is 0.1 mg/m3 applies to a standard 8 hour working day. If your work shift is longer than 8 hours, it is necessary to make some downward adjustment in the exposure standard.