This tool helps identify whether workplace tasks, materials or environments may create health risks from hazardous exposures.
The tool asks practical compliance questions based on your work activities. It highlights where harmful exposures may exist and where controls or further review may be needed.
It considers common risks such as silica, diesel particulate matter, welding fumes, solvents, dust and other airborne contaminants depending on your answers.
Your responses are used to identify risk indicators, missing controls and areas of good practice. The examples below show the types of situations the tool is assessing.
This is a screening tool only. It does not replace legal, technical or occupational hygiene advice. Higher-risk results may require further assessment.
Below are the examples and scenarios from the compliance tool.
| Example Scenario | What the Tool is Checking | Typical Signs of Risk | What Good Practice Looks Like | Who to Ask for Help |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| A small quarry cuts, crushes and screens sandstone and concrete rubble. Workers use demo saws, crushers and grinders throughout the day, often generating visible dust. PPE is used but there is no recent air monitoring. | The silica questions check whether the business recognises these tasks as RCS-generating activities, has identified which tasks may be “high-risk”, and has appropriate controls such as water suppression, extraction, air monitoring and health monitoring in place. | • Visible dust while cutting, grinding or crushing; • Dry cutting without water or extraction; • No recent silica air monitoring; • Workers complaining of dust or coughing; and • Dust settling on clothing, vehicles or surfaces | • Water suppression or on-tool extraction used every time; • RCS air monitoring conducted periodically; • Clear list of silica-producing tasks; • Workers trained in silica risks; and • Health monitoring arranged where required. | Supervisor / PCBU / Occupational hygienist |
| A small underground operation uses diesel loaders, trucks and support vehicles in enclosed areas where airflow is limited. Ventilation ducting is sometimes damaged or blocked, and maintenance on the diesel fleet is irregular. Workers occasionally notice diesel smell or haze during the shift. | The diesel particulate questions check whether the business has an effective ventilation plan, maintains diesel equipment properly, monitors airflow and emissions, and ensures workers understand the risks so diesel particulate levels are kept as low as reasonably practicable. | • Diesel odour or haze visible in the air; • Black “soot” deposits on walls or equipment; • Workers reporting headaches, sore throats or fatigue; • Poorly maintained or smoky engines; and • Ventilation fans not running or damaged. | • Working ventilation plan with regular inspections; • Engines maintained according to schedule; • Airflow tested and recorded; • Workers trained in DPM risks; and • Use of low-emission or well-maintained plant. | Supervisor / Maintenance lead / Occupational hygienist |
| A fabrication workshop does MIG welding, metal cutting and uses solvent-based cleaners. Work is often done inside a closed shed during poor weather. There is no list of hazardous chemicals and extraction fans are used inconsistently. | These questions check whether the business has identified airborne contaminants (such as welding fumes, solvent vapours and general dust), compared exposures to legal limits, implemented ventilation and housekeeping controls, and keeps Safety Data Sheets and a chemical register. | • Strong odours from cleaners or solvents; • Welding done without extraction or doors open; • Dust or fume lingering in the air; • No SDS available for products; and • Workers getting headaches or eye irritation. | • Local exhaust or general ventilation in use; • Up-to-date hazardous substance register; • SDS available and understood; • Regular housekeeping schedule; and • Monitoring if vapours or fumes may exceed limits. | Supervisor / Safety officer / Occupational hygienist |
| A small crushing and screening operation runs for most of the shift. Operators work near conveyors, impact crushers and mobile plant. Some workers wear hearing protection but noise has never been formally measured. | The noise questions check whether noisy tasks have been assessed against the exposure standard, whether higher-level controls have been considered, and whether hearing protection, fit, and audiometric testing are in place where required. | • Needing to shout to communicate; • Ringing in the ears after work; • Workers removing hearing protection because it’s uncomfortable; • Old or untested noise-reduction equipment; and • No records of audiometric testing. | • Noise assessment carried out; • Barriers or enclosures around noisy plant; • Administrative controls such as rotating workers; • Correct hearing protection provided and maintained; and • Regular audiometric testing where required. | Supervisor / Safety adviser / Occupational hygienist |
| Workers regularly cut stone, mix concrete, operate plant in dusty areas and occasionally handle lead-containing products during maintenance tasks. No formal health monitoring program exists. | The health monitoring questions check whether the business has identified when health monitoring is legally required (e.g. silica, lead, certain chemicals), arranged appropriate medical assessments, and ensures health records are stored and accessed correctly. | • Workers are exposed to silica, lead or hazardous chemicals; • No baseline or periodic health monitoring done; • No system for storing medical results; • Workers unclear on health risks; and • Tasks classified as high-risk without monitoring. | • Health monitoring arranged for relevant exposures; • Confidential medical records stored correctly; • Workers notified of their results; and • Controls adjusted if health monitoring shows issues. | Supervisor / PCBU / Occupational hygienist / Medical practitioner |
| Supervisors make day-to-day safety decisions, but there are no toolbox talks, safety meetings or documented reviews of controls. Workers raise issues informally but outcomes are not recorded. | The consultation questions check whether workers are meaningfully involved in safety discussions, whether safety information is shared, and whether controls are reviewed and improved following incidents, changes in work or feedback. | • Workers unsure about safety decisions; • No documented consultations or toolbox talks; • Repeated issues or near misses not followed up; • Changes made without worker input; and • No scheduled review of controls. | • Regular toolbox talks with records kept; • Clear ways for workers to raise concerns; • Documented review of controls; • Actions tracked to completion; and • Supervisors actively consulting workers. | Supervisor / PCBU / Safety representative / Occupational hygienist |
