The Guide

The Netherlands Labour Authority has developed a guide that applies to situations or workplaces where workers are exposed to respirable crystalline quartz. The guide addresses key questions:

1. At what workplaces and while performing which tasks might employees encounter quartz dust exposure within the company?

• Quartz contents of certain materials;
• Sectors that face exposure to quartz;
• Workplace activities that are susceptible to the release of quartz

2. Has the nature, extent and duration of quartz exposure has been addressed?

• Suitable methods and strategies to check exposure, and whether there is a need to perform repeated measures

3. Can exposure to quartz be prevented through substitution?

• General advise on how/whether  quartz can be replaced

4. Have collective or organizational measures been taken to prevent or limit exposure to quartz dust?

• How an employer can implement certain measures to reduce exposure

5. Is respiratory protection used to prevent or limit exposure to quartz dust?

• Advise on whether it is necessary for an employer to prescribe the additional use of respiratory protective equipment and various matters that are of interest regarding respiratory protection

6. Is there information and instruction given about quartz dust?

• What information and instruction documents need to include

7. Registration

• A list of the additional registration requirements that apply for quartz dust

8. Other matters: general occupational health and safety, order and cleanliness, eating and drinking at the workplace, occupational health examination

• Additional list on general measures to limit exposure to quartz dust

Throughout the guide, there are additional helpful resources shared, such as the dust-free working website (TNO).

Exposure to Quartz

Quartz dust is classified as a carcinogenic substance, with a legal exposure limit in The Netherlands set at 0.075 mg/m3 (time-weighted average over 8 hours). It’s included in workplace regulations as a hazardous substance. Quartz dust exposure can occur in various industries, including construction, where many materials contain quartz. Other workplaces at risk include metal foundries, where quartz is present in moulding sand, and in glass production where it’s used as a raw material. Additionally, quartz is commonly used as a filler in products like paints and plastics.

Read the factsheet on Silica Dust, which you can find here. Within this factsheet you can check 32 different countries exposure limit values. Additionally, all of our factsheets are available in  20 different languages.