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Managing dusts and other airborne contaminants

Last updated: 21 May 2026

As an employer or a person conducting a business or undertaking (PCBU), you have a work health and safety (WHS) duty to ensure your workers are not exposed to harmful airborne contaminants so far as is reasonably practicable. 

To manage risks from airborne contaminants, you should follow the risk management process:  

  • identify and assess dust and fibre hazards in the workplace
  • implement effective control measures
  • provide information, instruction and training to workers
  • monitor exposure and health risks
  • comply with relevant legislation and codes of practice.

Some airborne contaminants also have a workplace exposure standard (WES), or a workplace exposure limit (WEL). This is the maximum level of an airborne contaminant that most (but not all) people can be exposed to without harm to their health. 

Learn more about workplace exposure standards or limits.

Mineral exploration and blast hole drilling

Substantial dust can be generated during drilling operations, particularly if undertaken in dry conditions. The generation of dust needs to be minimised as much as practicable. Control measures include:

  • fitting drills with a water injection or dust extraction system (or both) suitable to control or extract the dust at the hole during drilling
  • where dust is being discharged through ducting, positioning the ducting so dust will not blow back on the operators or others working in the vicinity
  • controlling dust at the source if using a cyclone sample collector and during the crushing and splitting of samples
  • operating drill rigs from a well-sealed HEPA filter air-conditioned cabin
  • regularly replacing filters or cleaning filtration devices and systems to prevent dust build-up.

Samplers and other operators who may be exposed to dust will require suitable personal protective equipment (PPE), which should be selected, worn and maintained in accordance with Australian Standards AS/NZS 1715 Selection, use and maintenance of respiratory protective equipment and AS/NZS 1716 Respiratory protective devices.

Australian Standards are available from Standards Australia.

Loading and haulage

Dust needs to be controlled during the loading of broken material such as ore or waste into trucks, and on haulage roadways. Controls can be provided through:

  • wetting down of haul roads and blasted piles
  • installing water sprays at dump pockets
  • dust extraction at conveyor tipping points, crushers, and screens
  • providing HEPA filter air-conditioned cabins in plant equipment.

For air-conditioned plant, the cabin doors, windows and any other access point such as cabling routes should be well sealed to prevent dust ingress.

Crushing, screening and processing

Dust needs to be effectively controlled at each crusher, mill and grinder, with dust control appliances fitted at the primary crusher feed hopper as well as secondary and tertiary crushers plus screens. Conveyor belt transfer points and stockpile tunnels may also require dust control measures.

Any spillage and dust build up on and around the plant and equipment needs to be monitored and removed as necessary. After processing, dust control will be required at stockpile stackers and reclaimers, and during loading and unloading operations (e.g. ship, train, road train).

Dust management is assisted by having wet process streams and dust extraction on transfer points.

Laboratory sample preparation

Most mine sites have a sample preparation and laboratory area, where crushing, screening and analysis of samples is routinely undertaken. This work is also conducted in general industries by assay laboratories. Exposure to dusts (including silica) and hazardous reagents found in the laboratory needs to be controlled. Effective local ventilation is required for fume cupboards, fire assay areas where lead is handled, and sample preparation areas.

Personal monitoring may be required to confirm controls are effective, and biological monitoring may be required in areas such as assay laboratories using hazardous reagents, such as litharge (lead oxide).

Other sources

Welding and cutting operations are common in industry, and generate metal and other fumes. Local extraction systems may be required to ensure fumes are not discharged into other work areas.

The Welding processes: Code of practice provides practical guidance on how to manage health and safety risks associated with welding processes in the workplace.

Abrasive blasting occurs at many mines and in general industry. The abrasive agent used to clean equipment can generate considerable dust. Open-air abrasive blasting should be done away from working areas with appropriate dust control measures. The operators must be suitably provided with personal protective equipment (PPE) with a clean air supply. There are limits on the amount of silica and other contaminants allowed in the abrasive material.

The aim is to reduce dust generation, PPE should be used as a last line of defence against exposure. 

The Abrasive blasting: Code of practice provides practical guidance on how to manage health and safety risks associated with abrasive blasting.

Resources and guidance

Guidance on managing dusts and other airborne contaminants.

Note: Although some of the guidance materials referenced on this webpage are out-dated, the content remains current and applicable.

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The Government of Western Australia acknowledges the traditional custodians throughout Western Australia and their continuing connection to the land, waters and community. We pay our respects to all members of the Aboriginal communities and their cultures; and to Elders both past and present.

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