Webinar: Respirable Crystalline Silica – Understanding Your Risks, Obligations & Controls

Moderated by Phoebe Gane

Presented by Jason Linford, Julie Sullivan, Jason Green

What’s covered?

Crystalline silica is an abundant mineral found in a wide range of materials such as sand, stone, concrete, mortar, glass, ceramic, bricks and engineered stone. Processes such as cutting, crushing, grinding or drilling can generate respirable crystalline silica (RCS). Occupational or cumulative exposure to RCS can result in serious, debilitating and potentially fatal health effects.

The focus on RCS within the Australian legislative framework has increased significantly in recent years following an increase in the number of workers within the engineered stone industry diagnosed with silicosis, and other RCS related health impacts. Whilst RCS is regulated as a hazardous chemical under the Model WHS Regulations and relevant OHS Regulations, industry-specific Codes of Practice are now coming into force within the various states and territories. For some states and industries, such engineered stone in Queensland, these codes are legally enforceable, whereas other recently published codes (such as the Victorian Compliance Code for Engineered Stone) currently only represent guidance.

The increased legislative focus on the engineered stone industry does, however, highlight the importance of proactive identification, assessment and management of the risks associated with RCS within the construction, infrastructure and resources sectors where there can be high potential for silica exposure.

Join us for this moderated Panel discussion where, using recent case studies and scenarios across numerous industries, we will discuss some of the challenges, complexities and practicalities of effective risk control for RCS. The presentation will also outline the proactive measures employers and PCBUs should be implementing to control RCS risks effectively in the face of increasing legislative governance.

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About Presenters

About Phoebe Gane

Phoebe is an experienced risk consultant, environmental engineer and operations manager with over 11 years’ experience working alongside clients in the construction, defence, resources, government, healthcare, education and retail sectors.

Through her work on multiple international social development projects, Phoebe has been responsible for the implementation of effective safety cultures within low socioeconomic status areas, in the UK, Europe and Mongolia, and is, therefore, a passionate advocate of the importance of education, behavioural change, and practicality when embedding process and management frameworks.

As the National Practice Lead for Health and Safety at Greencap, Phoebe oversees, coordinates and leads Greencap’s health and safety technical team in safety risk management, contractor management, management systems, occupational hygiene, mould and toxicology and compliance. She is committed to delivering bespoke, pragmatic and efficient solutions to clients to ensure they successfully imbed process into operations and meet their legislative obligations.

About Jason Linford

Jason is the Practice Manager – Occupational Hygiene and Indoor Environmental Quality at Greencap. He is an accomplished, highly experienced, and forward thinking HSE professional with a proven track record in planning and executing health & safety, occupational hygiene and continuous improvement projects, delivering operational management and performance initiatives, risk management, and harm prevention.

Jason is an avid believer of practical and sustainable HSE and Risk Mitigation initiatives that drive cultural change, ensure compliance with legislative requirements, improve organisational performance, and reduce workplace risk.

With over 15 years’ experience in HSE and Occupational Hygiene management positions operating across multiple sectors, he has a proven and extensive track record in conducting safety assessments and investigations, as well as the management of contaminants within the built environment.

Jason is leading Greencap’s occupational hygiene service offering with regards to COVID-19 and is supported by a team of highly credentialled industry professionals.

About Julie Sullivan

Julie is a Certified Industrial Hygienist (CIH®) with over 25 years of experience in the fields of occupational hygiene, hazardous materials, and environmental consulting. She has conducted a wide range of occupational hygiene investigations and risk assessments for Government, Military, Industrial, Health Care, Marine, Municipal and residential clients.

Julie is experienced in providing technical advice for the ongoing safe management of hazardous materials such as asbestos, respirable crystalline silica, PCBs, mould, radon and others within varied industries in accordance with recognised best practice and legislative compliance.

Throughout her career, Julie has managed projects for national clients who maintain large commercial and residential property portfolios including industrial sites to ensure continued legislative compliance in hazardous materials management

About Jason Green

Jason has over 25 years’ experience in the many fields of occupational hygiene including chemical, physical and biological hazards. He is a Certified Occupational Hygienist (COH ®) with the Australian Institute of Occupational Hygienists (AIOH), a licensed asbestos assessor and also has a passion for Indoor Environmental issues.

As a Principal Consultant, Jason has extensive experience in the anticipation, recognition and evaluation of respirable and inhalable dust hazards such as respirable crystalline silica as well as assisting clients in the implementation and communication of dust controls in line with the hierarchy of controls.

Key Links

• Greencap’s Respirable Crystalline Silica (RCS) Resources