NSW requires reporting high-risk silica WES exceedances
From September 1, 2024, New South Wales requires reporting of workplace exposure-standard exceedances associated with high-risk crystalline-silica-substance processing. Notification and the air-monitoring report are due as soon as reasonably practicable, within 14 days of receiving results; monitoring reports must be retained for 30 years.
The identified reporting duty concerns high-risk processing. Its scope must be checked before applying it to every silica sample result.
- Legal status
- in force
- Source check
- Sep 17, 2026
- Topic
- RCS air monitoring
- Technical review
- Jiaxi · 2026-09-23
What changed
Previous requirement
General exposure-control and monitoring duties applied.
New requirement or current position
Notify as soon as reasonably practicable, no later than 14 days after receiving results; retain monitoring reports for 30 years.
Who it affects
- Construction
- Manufacturing
- Stone processing
Dates and milestones
Commencement and compliance dates can differ. Read the conditions beside each date, including any stay or local adoption requirement.
- Announcement or publication
- Not established or not applicable
- Recorded effective date
- Sep 1, 2024
Selected exposure values
These values need the scope, limit type and averaging period shown below. A proposed or advisory value is not a binding limit.
Respirable crystalline silica
0.05 mg/m3| Averaging period | 8-hour TWA |
|---|---|
| Limit type | WES |
| Scope | NSW WES; extended-shift adjustment may be needed |
What this could mean for your IH program
Maintain result receipt date, reporting deadline and regulator submission evidence separately from sampling date.
Confirm applicability with a qualified practitioner before changing your program.
Questions and qualifications
- The notification page specifically frames this duty around high-risk CSS processing; do not generalise every sample result without checking scope.
Source evidence
- Workplace Exposure Standard exceedance notification
SafeWork NSW · When you need to notify; information required
High-risk CSS WES exceedances require notice as soon as practicable and within 14 days of receiving results; reports are retained for 30 years.
- Crystalline silica technical fact sheet
SafeWork NSW · Workplace exposure standards and air monitoring
RCS WES is 0.05 mg/m3 over eight hours, adjusted for extended shifts. Reporting requirement applies to monitoring after 1 September 2024.
Managing your IH program
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