A New Era of Worker Protection: Silica Laws in Australia
From 1 October 2025, major changes to Australia’s work health and safety laws will come into effect to better protect workers from respirable crystalline silica (RCS) – a deadly dust that causes silicosis, lung cancer, and other serious diseases.
At Perfect Group, safety always comes first. With divisions spanning demolition, remediation, concrete care, plant hire, and labour hire, we welcome these reforms as an important step forward for our industry and for the health of every worker.
What’s Changing?
- Ban on engineered stone: The use, supply, and manufacture of engineered stone is now prohibited nationwide.
- Silica Worker Register (NSW only): From 1 October, NSW businesses must register any worker undertaking high-risk silica processes within 28 days.
- Silica Risk Control Plans (SRCPs): Before starting high-risk tasks, PCBUs must prepare a detailed plan outlining dust suppression, PPE, and health monitoring.
- Mandatory health monitoring: Workers undertaking high-risk silica tasks must undergo medicals (including lung function testing and HRCT chest scans where required).
- Stricter exposure standards: Airborne silica levels must be kept as low as reasonably practicable, well below the workplace exposure standard.
What This Means for Our Work
Across our divisions, silica is a critical risk:
- Perfect Contracting & Concrete Care: Cutting, grinding, drilling, and demolishing concrete generate significant silica dust.
- Perfect Remediation: Remedial works, façade removal, and heritage restoration can expose workers to silica.
- Ngemba Services: Labour hire personnel must be protected under the same controls and health monitoring as direct staff.
- Perfect Hire: Plant supplied for cutting, grinding, or demolition must include compliant dust suppression systems.
We have already embedded the following measures across our operations:
- Silica Exposure Control Procedures aligned to the new regulations
- Wet cutting, on-tool dust extraction, and local exhaust ventilation systems
- Respiratory protective equipment compliant with AS/NZS 1715 (fit-tested, clean-shaven policy)
- Worker training, toolbox talks, and clear consultation processes
- Health monitoring and registration systems ready for 1 October
Why This Matters
These reforms aren’t just about compliance – they are about saving lives. Silica-related diseases are entirely preventable when the right controls are in place. As an ISO-certified group, we see these changes as an opportunity to raise the bar across demolition, remediation, concrete care, and hire services nationwide.
How Clients Benefit
By engaging Perfect Group, clients can be confident that their projects:
- Meet or exceed the latest WHS and Safe Work Australia requirements
- Are delivered by a workforce that is trained, monitored, and protected
- Carry less legal and reputational risk due to non-compliance
- Support a “safety-first” culture that puts people before productivity
Looking Ahead
Perfect Group is committed to leading industry best practice in silica management. We will continue to invest in innovative dust suppression technologies, advanced medical monitoring, and worker education to ensure zero harm from silica exposure.
Perfect Contracting acknowledges the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Isander people as Traditional Custodians of the country on which we live and work. We pay our respects to the Traditional Custodians and Elders past, present and future, and honour their connection to the land and ongoing contribution to society.