CMPA Guidelines: Helping Identify a Worker’s Exposure to RCSD

September 29, 2026 By Emma Morrison

The Respirable Crystalline Silica Dust (RCSD) Management Guideline together with the CMPA’s Work Safely Reference Manual aims to support Members in meeting the requirements of the Victorian Occupational Health and Safety Act 2004 and Occupational Health and Safety Regulations 2017.

It also covers the following:

Appropriate management practices required to minimise potential health risks associated with RCSD arising from extractive industry and concrete recycling operations;
A template that can be populated to help establish a site specific RCSD Control Plan; and
Assistance in establishing and maintaining a Work Plan that defines operational activity to obtain and sustain an Extractive Industry Work Authority

Respirable Crystalline Silica Dust (RCSD)
Crystalline silica is the scientific name for a group of minerals composed of silicon and oxygen i.e. Silicon dioxide (SiO2). There are many types of crystalline silica, but they are generally, Quartz, Cristobalite, Tridymite and Tripoli.

Quartz being the most common form is one of the most abundant minerals in the earth’s crust.

There are crystalline and non-crystalline forms of silicon dioxide. The non-crystalline form of silica (amorphous) that is widely used in electronics does not cause lung damage.

A Crystalline Silica Substance means any substance that:

Contains more than 1% crystalline silica; and
Is reasonably likely to be mechanically processed at a workplace; and
Is not in a respirable form;

High standard of housekeeping can reduce levels of RCSD carriage

Crystalline Silica as quartz when crushed, ground, drilled or cut generates dust particles that are small enough to penetrate deep into the lungs.

These particles are deemed respirable e.g. RCSD and can cause lung damage. They are often referred to as invisible dusts because they are too small to be seen with the naked eye and are classified as a Hazardous Substance by Safe Work Australia.

Control Process
There are three steps in the silica control process.