Keeping our people safe is Boral’s number one priority, and managing dust is a critical part of our Zero Harm safety goal. We take our commitments and responsibilities to manage dust across all our sites very seriously. 

Our Dust Management Framework 

We take dust control seriously and follow a comprehensive framework developed with industry specialists and regulators. This ensures modern practices and technologies are consistently applied to protect the health and safety of workers and the community. 

Our approach includes: 

• Monitoring dust levels at work sites and boundaries 

• Personal exposure checks for employees 

• Health surveillance, including respiratory tests and chest x-rays every five years 

We regularly report dust monitoring results to the Queensland Mines Inspectorate and review our practices to ensure they continue to meet or exceed regulatory standards. 

Managing Dust Beyond the Site 

We understand that dust can impact surrounding communities and the environment, so we apply strict, proactive controls and continually review our practices to minimise these impacts and meet or exceed regulatory standards. 

Key measures include: 

• Maintaining vegetation along property boundaries and clearing only what is necessary 

• Using water trucks and dust suppression systems on roads and stockpiles 

• Installing dust collectors on drill rigs and extraction systems on crushers and conveyors 

• Sealing main access roads and weighbridge areas to reduce vehicle-generated dust 

• Washing truck wheels before vehicles leave the site to prevent tracking dust onto public roads 

• Regular street sweeping near site entrances 

These measures help maintain air quality, protect community health, and reduce dust impacts on neighbours. 

What Is Respirable Crystalline Silica (RCS)? 

Boral understands that communities near our quarries may have questions about crystalline silica and how we manage it. Here’s what you need to know. 

What Is RCS? 

Crystalline silica is a natural mineral found in materials like sand, stone, concrete, and mortar. It’s also used in products such as bricks, tiles, and engineered stone benchtops. 

When these materials are cut or processed, tiny dust particles can be released. Some particles are so small they can reach deep into the lungs and cause health issues like silicosis. These particles are called Respirable Crystalline Silica (RCS). 

Different rocks contain different amounts of silica: 

• Marble & Limestone: ~2% 

• Granite: 20–45% 

• Sandstone: 70–95% 

• Engineered stone: up to 97% 

At the Reedy Creek Project site, based on petrographic survey results, the predicted silica concentrations within the greywacke within the Project site has an upper free silica content in the order of 18 to 32%. 

Is It a Risk for the Community? 

While quarry products often contain silica, only a small fraction of dust generated is RCS. With proper controls in place, community exposure is not a risk. 

How Does Boral Manage It? 

We use strict measures to keep dust levels safe: 

• Regular dust monitoring at the plant and site boundaries 

• Personal exposure checks for workers 

• Health surveillance, including respiratory tests and chest x-rays 

• Weather monitoring to adjust operations during high winds 

• Dust suppression systems like water sprays, misting, and enclosed conveyors 

• Wheel washes, sealed roads, and covered loads to prevent dust leaving the site 

We also follow Queensland regulations and work with government agencies to ensure compliance and best practice.