Silica in Demolition & Rehabilitation Work SWMS
Silica dust management during demolition, strip-out, and structural rehabilitation — mechanical demolition, jack-hammering, saw cutting, and hand-held grinding.
SWMS variants reference your state’s WHS legislation. Instant download after payment.
Demolition and rehabilitation work involving mechanical demolition, jack-hammering, saw cutting and grinding of concrete, masonry and tile generates respirable crystalline silica (RCS) and triggers HRCW notification under WHS Regulation 291. A SWMS is mandatory before work commences on any load-bearing structure or silica-generating task.
Hazards identified
3 hazards covered, sorted by priority.
Silicosis, lung cancer, accelerated pneumoconiosis
Crush fatalities and serious traumatic injury
Head, eye and limb impact injuries
Control measures
Hierarchy-of-controls order: elimination → substitution → isolation → engineering → administrative → PPE.
- 1Use on-tool water suppression or H-class HEPA extraction on all cutting, grinding and breaking equipment.
- 2Engage competent demolition supervisor; sequence works per AS 2601 with exclusion zones and engineered propping.
- 3Mandatory P2/P3 RPE with fit-testing, air monitoring against WES 0.05 mg/m³, and health surveillance.
Applicable Codes of Practice
Mandated control hierarchy for RCS exposure tasks
Sequencing, exclusion zones and structural stability
High-Risk Construction Work triggered
Removal of structural elements supporting building loads during rehabilitation works.
Cutting, grinding and breaking concrete and masonry releases respirable silica dust.
Dual HRCW — SWMS mandatory before work; regulator notification required.
What you receive
- ✓Editable DOCX SWMS template ready for project customisation
- ✓State-specific WHS legislation and code schedule
- ✓Pre-populated silica and demolition hazard register
- ✓Worker sign-on and SWMS acknowledgement register
Related legislation
- WHS Act 2011 s.19 — primary duty of care
- WHS Regulation 2017 Ch.4 Pt 4.3 — hazardous chemicals and airborne contaminants
- WHS Regulation 2017 Ch.6 — construction and HRCW SWMS