Concrete Grinding & Polishing Silica SWMS
Concrete surface grinding, scarifying, and polishing operations — H-class vacuum extraction, wet suppression, RPE programme, air monitoring.
SWMS variants reference your state’s WHS legislation. Instant download after payment.
Concrete grinding, scarifying and polishing operations generate respirable crystalline silica (RCS) dust at concentrations that routinely exceed the workplace exposure standard of 0.05 mg/m³ (8-hour TWA) by orders of magnitude when performed dry without engineering controls. Cured concrete typically contains 20–40% crystalline silica by mass, and mechanical abrasion fractures quartz crystals into the sub-4 micron respirable fraction that penetrates deep into alveolar tissue, causing silicosis, lung cancer, COPD, and autoimmune disease. This SWMS addresses surface preparation grinding, diamond polishing, scarifying, and edge grinding using planetary grinders, hand-held angle grinders, and walk-behind machines.
Under the model Work Health and Safety Act 2011 and WHS Regulation 2025, a Person Conducting a Business or Undertaking (PCBU) must prepare a SWMS before commencing High Risk Construction Work involving crystalline silica dust (HRCW Category 19, Regulation 291). Regulation 49 requires elimination or minimisation of airborne contaminants so far as is reasonably practicable, and Regulation 50 mandates that the workplace exposure standard for RCS is not exceeded. The 2024 amendments following the engineered stone prohibition strengthened silica controls across all silica-containing materials including concrete.
This SWMS satisfies Regulation 299 SWMS content requirements and incorporates the Safe Work Australia Code of Practice: Managing the risks of respirable crystalline silica from engineered stone in the workplace (2024) and the Working with silica and silica containing products COP. It documents H-class vacuum extraction, wet suppression, respiratory protection programmes meeting AS/NZS 1715:2009, air monitoring under Regulation 50, and health monitoring obligations under Regulations 368–378.
Hazards identified
11 hazards covered, sorted by priority.
Accelerated silicosis, lung cancer, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease — exposures commonly exceed WES (0.05 mg/m³) by 10–100×
Engineering control failure causing breakthrough of respirable dust to operator breathing zone
RPE protection factor inadequate for measured exposure; silica inhalation despite mask use
Slips, falls, electrocution from damaged leads contacting slurry
Hand-arm vibration syndrome, vibration white finger, carpal tunnel — exceeds EAV 2.5 m/s² A(8)
Noise-induced hearing loss; exceeds 85 dB(A) LAeq,8h exposure standard under Reg 56
Projectile injury to face, eyes, body — particularly during edge grinding
Musculoskeletal injury during loading, positioning, stair access
Bystander exposure to other trades, building occupants — breach of PCBU duty under s.19 WHS Act
CO poisoning, oxygen depletion — WES CO 30 ppm 8-hour TWA
Take-home exposure to family members; ongoing low-level exposure during breaks
Control measures
Hierarchy-of-controls order: elimination → substitution → isolation → engineering → administrative → PPE.
- 1ELIMINATE dry grinding wherever feasible — specify wet grinding with continuous water suppression as the default method, controlling dust at source per the hierarchy in Reg 36
- 2Where wet methods are not practicable, use only H-class HEPA vacuum extraction (AS/NZS 60335.2.69 Class H) shrouded directly to the grinding head with airflow verified daily using manometer or indicator
- 3Fit on-tool extraction shrouds to all hand-held grinders (angle grinders 100/125 mm) with ≥99.95% capture efficiency; replace damaged brush seals before each shift
- 4Implement air monitoring programme under Reg 50 — personal sampling using cyclone (e.g. Higgins-Dewell or GK2.69) at 2.2 L/min, gravimetric/XRD analysis by NATA-accredited laboratory, results communicated to workers within 14 days
- 5Establish RPE programme to AS/NZS 1715:2009 — minimum P2 half-face for short-duration tasks with effective LEV; PAPR (PF 50) or full-face P3 for dry grinding, edge work, or sustained exposure; quantitative fit testing annually per AS/NZS 1715 Appendix B
- 6Health monitoring under Reg 368–378 — pre-employment then biennial low-dose HRCT chest scan, spirometry, occupational physician review per RACP Silicosis Guidance 2023; records retained 30 years
- 7Demarcate exclusion zone with signage 'SILICA DUST — AUTHORISED PERSONNEL ONLY — RPE REQUIRED' per AS 1319; isolate with poly sheeting and negative-pressure containment for indoor grinding
- 8Establish decontamination protocol — disposable coveralls (Type 5/6), boot wash, HEPA-vacuum clothing before removal, separate clean/dirty change areas, no compressed air for cleaning (prohibited under COP)
- 9Daily inspection and pre-start of grinding equipment — RCD protection (30 mA), lead condition, guard integrity, diamond segment wear; tag out defective tools
- 10Limit continuous trigger time to manage HAV — rotate operators every 2 hours; record vibration magnitudes from manufacturer data and calculate A(8) exposure
- 11Provide Class 5 (AS/NZS 1337.1) impact eye protection, Class 5 hearing protection (SLC80 ≥26 dB), cut-resistant gloves, and steel-cap footwear; PPE matrix included in SWMS appendix
- 12Prohibit propane burnishers in areas without mechanical ventilation providing ≥10 air changes per hour; continuous CO monitoring with alarm at 25 ppm
- 13Worker training and instruction under Reg 39 — silicosis health effects, controls, RPE use, fit testing, recorded competency before task allocation
Applicable Codes of Practice
Primary approved COP for silica dust control — admissible as evidence of what is known about hazards and reasonably practicable controls under s.275 WHS Act
Defines High Risk Construction Work and SWMS requirements applicable to concrete grinding operations
Applies to grinder/vacuum noise exposures routinely exceeding 85 dB(A)
Mandatory standard for RPE programme including fit testing, training, and selection based on protection factor
Performance standard for P2/P3 filters and PAPR equipment used during grinding
Specifies H-class vacuum performance — minimum standard for silica dust extraction
Reference method for personal air monitoring of RCS
High-Risk Construction Work triggered
Grinding, scarifying, and polishing of cured concrete mechanically fractures quartz crystals into the respirable fraction (<4 µm aerodynamic diameter). Concrete contains 20–40% crystalline silica by mass, and these tasks are explicitly identified in the SWA Silica COP as RCS-generating activities. HRCW Category 19 was introduced through the 2024 model WHS Regulation amendments and applies regardless of dust control measures used.
Because this work is HRCW under Regulation 291, a SWMS must be prepared before work commences (Reg 299), kept available for inspection (Reg 301), reviewed if controls are revised or after an incident (Reg 302), and the work must be stopped if not conducted in accordance with the SWMS (Reg 303). Failure to prepare a compliant SWMS attracts penalties up to $7,200 (individual) or $36,000 (body corporate) per offence under the model Regulations, and may constitute evidence of failure to discharge the primary duty under s.19 of the WHS Act with Category 1–3 offence exposure.
Who this is for
- →Concrete polishing and surface preparation contractors operating planetary grinders and burnishers
- →Construction PCBUs performing scarifying, surface profiling, or grind-and-seal works
- →Demolition and refurbishment contractors removing coatings, adhesives, or laitance from concrete substrates
- →Facility managers engaging contractors for warehouse, retail, or industrial floor polishing
- →Self-employed concrete finishers and polishers required to produce a SWMS for principal contractors
- →WHS managers and safety advisors implementing silica exposure control plans across multiple sites
What you receive
- ✓Fully editable Microsoft Word (DOCX) SWMS document — 18+ pages, branded for your business
- ✓State-specific legislation schedule covering NSW, VIC, QLD, WA, SA, TAS, ACT, NT WHS/OHS variants
- ✓Comprehensive hazard register with 11 identified hazards, risk ratings, and hierarchy-of-control treatments
- ✓Worker sign-on register for daily SWMS acknowledgement and toolbox talk records
- ✓RPE selection matrix and fit testing record template aligned to AS/NZS 1715
- ✓Air monitoring schedule template with NATA laboratory submission guidance
- ✓Health monitoring register template per Reg 368 obligations
- ✓Pre-start equipment inspection checklist for grinders and H-class vacuums
- ✓Emergency response and decontamination procedures
- ✓Free updates for 12 months reflecting regulatory amendments
Worked example
Diamond Floors Pty Ltd is engaged to grind and polish 1,800 m² of concrete in a new Sydney distribution centre over 10 shifts. Before mobilisation, the site supervisor downloads this SWMS, populates the company details, project address, and assigns the planetary grinder operator (Jamal) and edge grinder operator (Priya). At the pre-start, Jamal verifies the Husqvarna PG820 is connected to the H-class Pullman 2400W vacuum with green airflow indicator, and Priya confirms her PAPR battery and HE filter cartridge meet AS/NZS 1716. Both operators have current quantitative fit-test certificates and have completed silica awareness training recorded in the SWMS appendix. On day three, the principal contractor's WHS advisor conducts an inspection and requests the SWMS, air monitoring results, and health monitoring records. Diamond Floors produces the document showing personal sampling results from day one (Jamal 0.018 mg/m³, Priya 0.024 mg/m³ — both below WES with PAPR providing additional margin), the signed daily sign-on register, and Priya's pre-employment HRCT report. The advisor accepts the controls as adequate. When Priya later moves to edge grinding in a stairwell with reduced ventilation, the SWMS review trigger under Reg 302 is invoked — the supervisor amends controls to add portable HEPA air scrubber and re-briefs the team, documenting the change before recommencement.
Related legislation
- Work Health and Safety Act 2011 (model) — ss.19, 20, 21, 27, 28 primary duties
- Work Health and Safety Regulation 2025 (model) — Part 3.1 risk management, Part 4.1 noise, Part 7.1 hazardous chemicals/airborne contaminants, Chapter 6 Construction work (HRCW & SWMS)
- WHS Regulation 2017 (NSW) — equivalent provisions Schedule 18 silica controls
- Occupational Health and Safety Regulations 2017 (VIC) — Part 4.1 hazardous substances, Part 5.1 construction
- Work Health and Safety Regulation 2011 (QLD) — silica health monitoring requirements
- Workers' Compensation and Rehabilitation Act 2003 (state variants) — silicosis as compensable dust disease
- Dust Diseases Act 1942 (NSW) and equivalent state Dust Diseases legislation
Frequently asked questions
Does this SWMS cover both wet and dry concrete grinding methods?
Yes. The SWMS prioritises wet suppression as the preferred control under the hierarchy but provides full controls for dry grinding using H-class vacuum extraction where wet methods are not practicable (e.g. polished concrete final passes, electrical equipment proximity, sloped surfaces). Both methods include the same RPE, air monitoring, and health monitoring requirements.
Is air monitoring legally required for every concrete grinding job?
Under Regulation 50, air monitoring is required when there is uncertainty about whether the workplace exposure standard is exceeded, or whether monitoring is necessary to determine risk to health. For concrete grinding — a known high-exposure task — most regulators expect baseline personal monitoring to validate controls, with periodic repeat monitoring (typically annually or when methods change). The SWMS includes a monitoring schedule template.
Who needs health monitoring and how often?
Any worker who is at significant risk of exposure to RCS above the WES, or whose work is reasonably likely to result in adverse health effects, requires health monitoring under Regulation 368. For concrete grinders this typically means pre-employment baseline (HRCT, spirometry, occupational history, respiratory questionnaire) and biennial review by a registered medical practitioner with experience in occupational lung disease. Records must be retained for 30 years.
Can a P2 disposable mask be used for concrete grinding?
A P2 half-face respirator (protection factor 10) is only adequate for short-duration, well-controlled tasks where measured exposures with engineering controls in place remain below 0.5 mg/m³ (10× WES). For most production grinding, edge work, or any dry grinding, a PAPR (PF 50) or full-face P3 is required. Selection must follow AS/NZS 1715 and be based on actual measured exposures — the SWMS includes a selection matrix.
How does this SWMS differ from a generic concrete works SWMS?
Generic concrete SWMS typically address formwork, pouring, and finishing hazards but lack the specific RCS controls, monitoring obligations, RPE programme detail, and health surveillance required under HRCW Category 19. This SWMS is purpose-built for grinding/polishing operations and references the SWA Silica COP, AS/NZS 1715/1716, and AS/NZS 60335.2.69 with operational detail that satisfies regulator expectations following the 2024 silica reforms.
Is this SWMS compliant in all Australian states and territories?
Yes. The document is built on the model WHS framework adopted by NSW, QLD, SA, TAS, ACT, NT, and the Commonwealth. Victoria operates under the OHS Act 2004 and OHS Regulations 2017 and Western Australia under WHS Act 2020 — both have equivalent silica and construction provisions. The included state legislation schedule maps the duties to each jurisdiction's specific section numbers and regulatory body (SafeWork NSW, WorkSafe Vic, WorkSafe WA, etc.).