ON SITE SILICA & ASBESTOS MEDICALS

SafeWork & iCare compliant

  • Our silica & asbestos medicals are a mobile service, meaning we can complete them at your work site.

  • Your staff will complete general health and respiratory forms, which are completed prior to our on site visit.

  • Lung spirometry and examination is then performed during our visit. An x-ray referral may be required if they are a new worker to crystalline silica or have not had an x-ray in 5 years working with silica.

  • Our doctor, will then provide a report to your business once all information is reviewed.

FAQ’s

  • Crystalline silica is a natural mineral found in materials such as sand, stone, concrete, brick, and engineered stone. It is a common component of the earth’s crust and is widely used in construction and manufacturing.

    When these materials are cut, drilled, crushed, or ground, they release fine respirable crystalline silica dust into the air. These tiny particles are small enough to be inhaled deep into the lungs, where they can cause serious health problems.

    Exposure to respirable crystalline silica can lead to diseases such as silicosis, lung cancer, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and kidney disease. Because of these risks, workplaces must implement controls and monitoring to reduce exposure and protect workers.

  • High-risk groups commonly include workers who regularly perform tasks that generate silica dust, such as cutting, grinding, drilling, or polishing materials like concrete, brick, stone, or engineered stone.

    Industries and roles at higher risk include civil contractors, construction workers, stonemasons, engineered stone workers, miners, quarry workers, demolition workers, road and tunnelling workers, and some manufacturing and foundry workers.

    Workers may also be considered high risk if they are exposed to silica dust frequently, over long periods, or at high concentrations, particularly where dust controls are inadequate.

    In these cases, Australian WHS regulations require employers to provide health monitoring (a silica medical) to detect early signs of silica-related disease and ensure workers are protected.

  • The health monitoring of both crystalline silica and asbestos involve history taking of health and respiratory questionnaires. Each of these questionnaires have specified questions relating to each hazardous substance.

    Additionally silica medicals require chest x-rays at baseline and then every 3-5 years. Asbestos medicals only require and X-ray if the registered medical practitioner deems it necessary.

    The other difference is the SafeWork Australia’s guide for frequency of health monitoring is annually for silica and biannually for asbestos.

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