Australian RCS exposure limits, accuracy in sampling and analysis

Safe Work Australia is currently considering reducing the occupational exposure limit for respirable crystalline silica to a health-based level near the detection limits of current sampling and analytical methods. Some stakeholders have argued that the limit should consider measurement uncertainty. Given the large day to day variability in exposure measurements and that occupational exposure limits (based on limited data) are not fine lines, we argue that this is unnecessary and risks failing to adequately protect worker health.