Silica dust control SWMS, drafted for your job
Cutting, grinding and drilling silica-containing render, masonry and concrete can leave fine dust in the breathing zone long after visible debris settles. Describe the job and site so your SWMS reflects the work, then review the draft with the crew before starting.
A$39per job
However many high-risk activities it covers.
- However many high-risk activities it covers.
- 3 for A$99
- 10 for A$249
- Yearly A$129 for 120
- Monthly A$60 for 10
You review it on site before work starts.
Your Business
Safe Work Method Statement
Version 1
Draft
Silica dust control
Site Your site address
Law Your state
High-risk construction work
Job steps, hazards and controls
| 1 | Identify materials and dusty steps | Unknown silica in render and masonry | High | Check materials; avoid unnecessary cuts and grinding |
| 2 | Choose and check dust controls | Failed extraction and unsuitable tools | High | Match water or extraction controls to the task |
| 3 | Isolate and carry out the work | Dust reaching workers and other trades | High | Maintain capture and separation throughout tool use |
| 4 | Collect dust and change bags | Concentrated dust during cleanup | High | Use sealed collection; avoid sweeping and compressed air |
| 5 | Clean gear and review the area | Dust carried into clean rooms | Medium | Clean equipment and clothing before reopening the area |
Illustrative first page. Yours carries your business name only.
What you get
What your silica dust control SWMS will contain
An A4 document your crew can read on site, a PDF for the builder and a sign-on register.
- Job and site detailsYour business, the site, the principal contractor, the dates.
- High-risk construction workThe categories your job involves, ticked.
- Step-by-step methodEach step with its hazards, risk rating and controls.
- How controls are checkedWho puts each control in place, monitors and reviews it.
- PPE, plant and permitsEquipment and training the job needs.
- Emergency planAssembly point, first aid, nearest hospital to confirm on site.
- Consultation and reviewWho was consulted, when it is reviewed.
- Sign-on registerYour crew signs by QR or on paper.
High-risk construction work
High-risk work on this job
This task is not usually high-risk construction work. If your job involves any category, tick it when you start and the SWMS covers it.
State notes
Rules depend on your state
Pick your state when you start. Your state's regulator publishes the rules and guidance for this work.
Hazards and controls
What goes wrong on a silica dust control job, and how the SWMS controls it
These rows are written for this task. Your draft adds the ones your site and method need.
- 1
Silica dust cutting masonry and cement-based render
High- Avoid site cuts by ordering material to size or choosing another fixing method
- Use suitable wet cutting or on-tool extraction; isolate the cutting area
- 2
Dust escaping grinding shrouds along rendered wall edges
High- Use a shroud and extraction system suited to the grinder and material
- Stop if edge work breaks capture; change the tool or method before continuing
- 3
Dust extraction failing through blocked filters or split hoses
High- Check airflow, hose connections and filters before dust-producing work
- Stop the tool if capture fails and repair extraction before restarting
- 4
Silica dust spreading to nearby plastering and fit-out crews
High- Separate dusty work and use containment with suitable extraction
- Keep other trades outside the area until captured dust and residue are cleared
- 5
Dust clouds emptying extractors and sweeping masonry debris
High- Use sealed collection and suitable hazardous-dust vacuuming or wet cleanup
- Isolate equipment before bag changes and contain collected dust without tipping it loose
- 6
Silica exposure through a poorly fitted respirator
High- Select respiratory protection for the task and arrange fit testing for tight-fitting masks
- Check the seal each use and keep facial hair out of the sealing surface
- 7
Dust carried from render work on clothing and tools
Medium- Clean tools with suitable vacuuming or wet methods before leaving the work area
- Keep dusty clothing out of clean facilities; do not blow it with compressed air
How the job usually runs
- 1Identify materials and dusty stepsUnknown silica in render and masonry → Check materials; avoid unnecessary cuts and grinding
- 2Choose and check dust controlsFailed extraction and unsuitable tools → Match water or extraction controls to the task
- 3Isolate and carry out the workDust reaching workers and other trades → Maintain capture and separation throughout tool use
- 4Collect dust and change bagsConcentrated dust during cleanup → Use sealed collection; avoid sweeping and compressed air
- 5Clean gear and review the areaDust carried into clean rooms → Clean equipment and clothing before reopening the area
PPE for this job
- Fit-tested particulate respirator suited to the task
- Safety glasses or goggles
- Hearing protection for powered tools
- Safety boots
- Work gloves
- Protective clothing for dusty work
Your draft lists the PPE your site and method need.
After you finalise
Brief your crew and send it to your builder
Crew signs by QR
Send to my builder
PDF and register
Builder sent it back?
Make their changes and re-issue the same job free. Workers re-sign the new version.
Questions
Silica dust control SWMS questions
- Last reviewed
- 21 October 2026
- How
- Hazard rows checked against the task; no legal line is stated unless it is logged from primary text.
- Next review
- Every six months, or when the method or rules change
Does it cover silica dust from render and concrete?
Yes. Describe the materials and tools. The draft covers avoiding cuts where possible, wet methods or suitable extraction, separation and cleanup; review the equipment and remaining exposure before the work starts.
Is wearing a respirator enough for grinding silica materials?
No. The draft puts dust prevention, tool capture and worker separation before respiratory protection. Describe the grinder and extraction so you can check the controls and select fitted protection for remaining dust.
How much does a silica dust control SWMS cost?
One job uses 1 SWMS when you finalise: A$39 for one, however many high-risk activities it covers. AI drafting needs a SWMS pack or plan. Packs and Yearly cost less per SWMS.
Is this a template?
No. You describe the job and the site, and the SWMS is drafted for them. You edit anything, then finalise it.
Who checks the SWMS?
You do, with your crew, on site before work starts. The draft gives you a strong starting point; the person running the work makes sure it matches the site.
My builder sent it back. What now?
Open it, make the changes they asked for and re-issue it. Corrections to the same job are free.
How does my crew sign it?
Show the QR code on your phone or print the A4 sign-on sheet. Workers read and sign on their own phones without an account.
Does it work in my state?
Yes. You choose the state before drafting, and the document names the law that applies there. Victoria uses its OHS Regulations.
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