This Working With Silica SWMS (Safe Work Method Statement) is pre-filled and covers cutting, grinding, drilling, coring, breaking and polishing materials that contain crystalline silica. It sets out the hazards, control measures and risk ratings before and after controls for 36 activities, from identifying the material to clean-up, decontamination and waste. It's written by WHS specialists, aligned to Australian WHS legislation, and fully editable in Microsoft Word.
Who it's for
Concreters, concrete cutters and core drillers
Bricklayers, renderers, tilers and stonemasons
Demolition and renovation contractors
Floor grinding and polishing businesses
Builders and civil contractors managing silica work on site
It also works as a written task risk assessment for any business where workers cut, grind or drill materials containing silica, the same way you'd use a JSA or Safe Work Procedure.
Use it to
Hand clients and principal contractors the SWMS they ask for
Apply for tenders and new jobs with your safety paperwork ready
Get through prequalification with Avetta, Cm3 and other contractor portals
Induct new workers and run toolbox talks on the task
What this SWMS covers
Identifying the material and its silica content, and checking for asbestos
High risk crystalline silica work assessment and the silica risk control plan
Training, worker registration, health monitoring and air monitoring
Locating services and reinforcement before cutting or drilling
Exclusion zones and protecting other trades, occupants and neighbours
Carbon monoxide from fuel powered saws, grinders and generators
Dust control selection, pre-start checks, blades and guarding
Respirator selection, fit testing and the no facial hair rule
Cutting, grinding, drilling, breaking and polishing with dust controls
Engineered stone prohibition and legacy engineered stone work
Dust control failing mid-task, enclosed spaces, electrical safety, noise and vibration
Slurry, settled dust clean-up, take-home dust, waste and emergency response
What's included
Hazards and control measures for 36 work activities
Risk ratings before and after controls, with a 5x5 risk matrix and the hierarchy of controls
PPE requirements checklist and high risk construction work checklist
Plant and equipment list, materials and maintenance checks for water feeds, shrouds and vacuums
Relevant Australian Standards, including AS/NZS 1715 for respiratory protection and AS 2985 for respirable dust sampling
Crystalline silica training requirements and respirator fit testing for every wearer
Site specific hazards section for anything unique to your job
Worker sign-off sheet and worker consultation record
Why use this template
Saves hours compared with writing a SWMS from a blank page
Covers the most common hazards and control measures for this work, ready to use out of the box
Fully editable, so you can add, remove or change anything to suit your site and how your team works
Helps your business stay compliant, with risk ratings, worker sign-off and consultation records already set up
How it works
Buy online and download straight away. You'll also get an email with your link.
Add your logo, ABN, project and site details.
Check it suits your site and task, edit anything you need to, and consult your workers before you finalise it.
Brief your team and collect signatures.
Common questions
Do I need a SWMS for working with silica?
If the job is high risk construction work, yes. Separately, high risk crystalline silica processing needs a silica risk control plan under the WHS Regulations. This SWMS covers when that plan is needed and how to make sure workers follow it.
Does it cover engineered stone?
Yes. It covers the prohibition on engineered stone work that has applied since 1 July 2024, and the controls for removing, repairing or disposing of legacy engineered stone.
Can I change it?
Yes. It's a Microsoft Word file, so you can add, remove or change any hazard, control or rating, and add your own logo and details.
Does it suit my state?
Yes. It's written to the model WHS laws and suits all states and territories, including Victoria under the OHS Act and Regulations.
What if it doesn't suit my work?
You're covered by our 30-day money-back guarantee if it isn't fit for purpose.
