Educational guidance on registers and logs — what each records, who maintains it, what it typically contains and how long it is generally kept. Informational only — template examples, not official documents or legal advice; a register documents activity, it does not by itself prove compliance, and employers remain responsible.
What a silica exposure register is
A silica exposure register lists the tasks that create respirable crystalline silica dust — cutting, grinding, drilling or breaking stone, concrete and similar materials — together with the dust controls and monitoring, because fine silica dust can cause serious lung disease over time.
This page is an educational overview with a simplified example. It is not an official template, not jurisdiction-specific and not legal advice — silica exposure limits, controls and surveillance vary by country.
Purpose
- Record the tasks that generate respirable silica dust.
- Capture the dust controls — water suppression, extraction, RPE.
- Link to exposure monitoring and health surveillance.
- Support assessment and the management of dusty work.
Who maintains it
- A safety lead or competent person keeps it current.
- Entries draw on the assessment of the dusty tasks.
- It is reviewed within the organisation’s own safety process.
- The employer decides who is competent to assess and maintain it.
When it is used
- When a silica-generating task is planned or changed.
- When dust controls or RPE arrangements change.
- During assessments and inspections.
- When arranging health surveillance for exposed workers.
Typical fields
- Task and the material being worked.
- Who could be exposed and how.
- Dust controls: water suppression, on-tool extraction, RPE.
- Monitoring and health surveillance arrangements.
- Assessment reference, review date and owner.
- Example columns only — adapt to your work and the applicable law.
Common mistakes
- Dry cutting or grinding without water or extraction.
- Relying on RPE that is not fit-tested or maintained.
- Dry sweeping silica dust, putting it back in the air.
- Not linking exposed workers to health surveillance.
Document workflow
A silica exposure register works with the COSHH-type and dust chain: the dusty task is assessed, dust controls are recorded here, and dust monitoring and health surveillance follow afterwards. A change of task, material or control should trigger a review.
See the related documents below for what is commonly used with and completed after a silica exposure entry.
Retention (high level)
Exposure and health records for silica work may need to be kept for a long period because lung disease can develop over time, in line with the applicable law. This page does not state a required period — confirm with the applicable law and the official authority.
Completing and sharing as a PDF
The register is often held in a system and exported to PDF for assessments and audits. Exporting to PDF supports the record; it does not make it official or prove compliance.
Employer checklist
- Control dust at source with water or on-tool extraction.
- Provide fit-tested, maintained RPE as a supplement, not a substitute.
- Avoid dry sweeping; use suitable cleaning methods.
- Arrange health surveillance where it applies.
Worker notes
- Use water suppression or extraction on dusty tasks.
- Wear and fit-test the RPE the assessment specifies.
- Never dry sweep silica dust; report uncontrolled dust.
Country considerations
Silica exposure limits, control expectations and surveillance vary by country, and the official authority differs. This page is general and high-level — not a statement of any country’s law and not legal advice.
Confirm current requirements with the official authority for your country and a qualified professional.
Who is responsible
The employer is responsible for controlling silica exposure and for compliance. This page is an educational overview with a template example; it does not make a workplace compliant and does not transfer responsibility.
Export, edit and share documents
The documents, policies and templates this involves can be exported, edited, signed, stored and shared as PDFs with the HELPERG PDF Editor.
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