** NOTE: Training for this course is only available for delivery Face to Face (F2F). Call to check for funding eligibility**
Approximately half the compositions of earth’s crust are silicon dioxide. Crystalline Silica is a basic component of soil, sand, granite and also found in stone, grout, bitumen, rock, gravel, glass, cement and clay and engineered stone.
Quartz is the most common form of crystalline silica. Cristobalite and Tridymite are two other forms of crystalline silica. All three forms may become respirable size particles when workers chip, cut, drill, or grind objects that contain crystalline silica. Silica is a generic term commonly used to refer to crystalline silica including crystalline quartz.
Silica has been a long standing health hazard, as far back as early civilisation, causing millions of cases of disease and deaths since stone masonry and mining began.
The impact of working with respirable crystalline silica is a topical issue that is receiving increasing attention due to the rising numbers of affected workers. Australia and other countries are witnessing a resurgence in diagnoses of silicosis disease in workers in mining, construction and now those who work with engineered stone.
Why Do You Need to Complete the 10830NAT Silica Exposure Prevention Course?
Quite simply whilst it is not mandated by legislation in the ACT yet, along with the White Card and 11084NAT Course in Asbestos Awareness (previously 10675NAT), it soon may become a requirement for any worker entering a construction site.
Silica is widely encountered in extractive industries, in the manufacturing of many concrete based building materials. Typical industries include but not limited to:
- Tunnelling
- Construction including granite grinding and polishing
- Foundries
- Stone masonry
- Cement manufacturing
- Power generation
- Ceramics
- Brick and tile manufacturing
- Metal polishing
- Abrasive blasting
- Mining
- Quarrying
According to Work Health and Safety Regulation 2011, PCBUs have an obligation to ensure that all workers who they believe may work with asbestos or asbestos-containing materials (ACMs) attend an approved course in asbestos awareness.
WorkSafe ACT currently requires workers to complete the 11084NAT Course in Asbestos Awareness (previously 10675NAT) and CPCCWHS1001 Prepare to work safely in the construction industry but there is no mandatory requirement for 10830NAT. 10830NAT Course in Crystalline Silica Exposure Prevention course is now mandatory for most construction workers in the ACT (deadline Oct 1, 2023).
What Are the Learning Outcomes for Silica Exposure Prevention Training?
The Course in Crystalline Silica Exposure Prevention specifies the outcomes required to recognise the workplace health and safety risks and hazards inherent in working with crystalline silica containing products and to determine and plan for the implementation of safe systems of work aimed at reducing exposure to within mandatory exposure limits.
The course outcomes apply to building and constructions workers, jewellery industry workers, do It yourself (DIY) enthusiasts and anyone where the health and well-being is at risk through exposure to crystalline silica dust.
Graduates will be able to identify and apply the following knowledge within the context of their job roles for their own safety and the safety of fellow workers and bystanders:
• Identification of crystalline silica containing products
• The relevant legislation, guidelines and standards
• The consequences, hazards and risks to health due to exposure
• Exposure standards
• Safety Data Sheets
• Hierarchy of Controls
• Systems for prevention of exposure
• Risk assessments and hazard prevention
How Long Does 10830NAT Course take?
The awareness training course is a half-day (4 Hour) course. It offers a general overview of how to protect one self from silica exposure.
Can you do the 10830NAT Course online?
At this stage the course must be done face to face. However, there may be opportunities to do the course in a webinar environment. Please check in with AlertForce on 1800 900 222 in order to see if this might be possible.
What Accreditation Will You Get?
Once deemed competent, you will receive a Statement of Attainment in 10830NAT Course in Crystalline Silica Exposure Prevention. If legislation makes the course mandatory this will be your evidence that your training is completed.
Courses should only be completed face to face through registered training organisations approved on training.gov.au. While some websites offer silica awareness training Canberra online, online courses may not meet national standards or requirements.
How Much Does 10830NAT Training Cost?
The cost varies depending on the specific course and the training organisation. At AlertForce, the current charge is $397 per person (of which $137.50 per person is paid to the course developer)
Silica Exposure Prevention training in Canberra will be running regularly. If multiple employees need to complete the course, you may qualify for a group training discount.
Is funding available for 10830NAT Course in Silica Prevention Exposure?
Also ask about Training Authority Fund subsidies if you do most of your work in Canberra.
