Uncontrolled dry cutting of material containing silica, a potentially harmful substance that can lead to lung cancer, will be banned in the ACT later this year. Read more: canberratimes.com.au
ACT construction must improve silicosis control measures
The ACT Government’s newly announced work health and safety reforms for silica dust are critical to try to control the scourge of the deadly lung disease, silicosis. The ban on uncontrolled dry cutting of silica containing materials, the introduction of silica awareness training and reforms to air and health monitoring requirements are all critical steps to combat this problem. Read more: nationaltribune.com.au
Government invests $11 million to protect workers from dust-related diseases
The federal government has announced that it is extending support to communication and education activities that are raising awareness on lung health for workers in the dust-generating industries. Read more: hcamag.com
Protecting Australian workers from dust diseases
The Australian Government is investing an additional $11 million to better protect and improve supports for workers in dust generating industries and their families. Read more: www.health.gov.au
Victoria ‘leading the way’ with new silica dust regulation
A lawyer and silicosis advocate has written to ministers in all jurisdictions to urge them to implement reforms to protect those working with deadly silica dust.
Roger Singh, national litigation specialist at Shine Lawyers, recently used a speech to the Australian Lawyers Alliance to implore state and territory governments to follow Victoria’s lead in introducing a licensing scheme to protect stonemasons, construction and mining workers from deadly silica dust. As a result of his lobbying, silicosis is now recognised as a workers’ compensation injury in some jurisdictions. Read more: Lawyers Weekly
NSW adopts new code to protect workers from silica
New South Wales has enforced a new industry safety standard to reduce the number of workers getting sick with silicosis because of their jobs.
Silicosis is a lung disease caused by breathing in tiny bits of silica, a common mineral found in sand quartz, and many other types of rock. Read more: hcamag.com
Federal Inspection Finds West Virginia Brick Manufacturer Exposed Workers to Respirable Crystalline Silica Hazards at Martinsburg Plant
U.S. Department of Labor issued the following announcement on Mar. 1.
The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration has cited Continental Brick Co. after an investigation found the employer exposed workers to respirable crystalline silica at the company’s brick manufacturing facility in Martinsburg. Read more: wvrecord.com
Massive fine for stone company
Tasmania's workplace safety watchdog is hopeful the successful prosecution of a southern business will send a message. Cambridge-based Heritage Stone has a $500,000 fine to pay after three of its workers came down with silicosis from dry-carving benchtops. Read more: tasmaniatalks.com.au
Hobart benchtop company fined half a million dollars after workers develop irreversible lung disease
A Hobart company that makes stone benchtops has been fined half a million dollars after three of its workers developed an irreversible lung disease. Read more: themercury.com.au
CFMEU NSW renews call to ban deadly manufactured stone products
The NSW Parliament has heard renewed calls from the CFMEU for the ban on manufactured stone products that expose workers to the risk of the deadly lung disease, silicosis.
“Silicosis is a killer and manufactured stone products pose an unacceptable risk to workers and must be banned,” said Darren Greenfield, CFMEU NSW Secretary. Read more: miragenews.com.au