The new respirable crystalline silica workplace exposure standard of 0.05mg/m3 is in effect in NSW (it commenced 1 July 2020). Therefore, the Regulator has cancelled the class exemption Work Health and Safety (Mines and Petroleum Sites) Exemption (Notification of detection of atmospheric concentration of crystalline silica) 2019. This means that mine and petroleum site operators are no longer exempt from notifying the Regulator of exceedances of the new exposure standard.
In accordance with our Revision to silica exposure standard (PDF, 1.57 MB) position paper, we will adopt a measured, proportionate response to notifications of crystalline silica exceedances.
View a copy of the notice of cancellation (PDF, 312.23 KB) which was published in the NSW Government Gazette of 10 July 2020.
