Tunnel & Underground Silica SWMS
Silica dust control in tunnelling, underground excavation, and shaft sinking — continuous ventilation, diesel exhaust, dewatering, and personal protective equipment.
SWMS variants reference your state’s WHS legislation. Instant download after payment.
Silica dust control during tunnelling, underground excavation, and shaft sinking — covering continuous ventilation, diesel exhaust management, dewatering, and respiratory protection. Underground silica work triggers dual HRCW categories under WHS Regulation 291, mandating a SWMS before work commences.
Hazards identified
3 hazards covered, sorted by priority.
Silicosis, lung cancer, chronic kidney disease
Asphyxiation, acute respiratory illness
Cumulative overexposure across shift
Control measures
Hierarchy-of-controls order: elimination → substitution → isolation → engineering → administrative → PPE.
- 1Continuous mechanical ventilation per AS 4744.1 with real-time RCS and DPM monitoring at face.
- 2Wet drilling, water mist suppression, and on-tool extraction with HEPA filtration on all cutting plant.
- 3PAPR with P3 cartridges, fit-tested; air-quality permit-to-work for each underground entry.
Applicable Codes of Practice
RCS WES 0.05 mg/m³ — mandatory monitoring underground
Approved code for silica risk management
High-Risk Construction Work triggered
Tunnels and shafts meet confined space definition under WHS Reg 5.
Mechanical excavation of silica-bearing rock generates respirable dust above WES.
SWMS mandatory before work starts — Reg 291; penalties to $30,000.
What you receive
- ✓Editable DOCX SWMS template
- ✓State-specific WHS legislation schedule
- ✓Project-specific hazard register
- ✓Worker sign-on register
Related legislation
- WHS Act 2011 s.19 — primary duty of care
- WHS Regulation 291 — HRCW SWMS requirement
- WHS Regulation 66–77 — confined space entry