Silica in the News
Minister for Education, Minister for Industrial Relations and Minister for Racing
The Honourable Grace Grace
Industrial Relations Minister Grace Grace has today announced more than $3 million of research grants for occupational dust lung disease have been awarded by the Palaszczuk Government. Read more: statements.qld.gov.au
As the intense focus on silica dust continues, Tim Turney from air monitoring equipment specialist Casella shares his insights on protecting construction workers
The Health & Safety Executive (HSE) inspected construction sites throughout June 2022 as part of its month-long respiratory health initiative, Dust Kills. As the watchdog checks that employers and workers know the risks, plan their tasks and use the right controls, other initiatives are taking place to crack down on silica dust. Read more: pbctoday.co.uk
The co-author of a new study that predicts up to 10,000 Australians will develop lung cancer from workplace exposure to silica dust says the use of artificial stone for kitchen benchtops should be banned.
Lin Fritschi, a professor at the Curtin University School of Population, said silica dust — the most potent source of which is artificial stone — is a dangerous product and banning it would save the lives of construction workers Read more: abc.net.au
Silica dust is a very fine dust produced when products such as bricks, concrete and pavers are cut or drilled. Artificial stone, which is used mainly for kitchen benchtops, is a particularly potent source of silica dust.
Breathing this dust into the lungs can cause severe long-term damage. This can result in breathing difficulties, scarring of the lungs (silicosis) and lung cancer. Read more: theconversation.com
From 1 July 2022 the Workplace Safety Legislation and Other Matters Amendment Act 2022 enacts some important changes for workers suffering from silicosis and similar occupational diseases. The changes recognize the progressive and ongoing nature of occupational diseases such as silicosis.
The changes relate to statutory, family counselling entitlements and common law entitlements. Read more : WorkSafe Victoria
A new NSW Government workplace dust diseases report fails to outline how meaningful health and safety laws will be implemented to protect workers from silica dust across all industries.
AWU NSW Branch Secretary Tony Callinan said there are some positive recommendations in the NSW Parliamentary Standing Committee’s Review of the Dust Diseases Scheme report. Read more: nationaltribune.com.au
Workers diagnosed with silicosis and leading industry experts are pushing for the new government to introduce tougher national regulations. View story: abc.net.au
New obligations in Victoria aimed at protecting workers from exposure to deadly crystalline silica dust have commenced this month.
Under the changes that came into effect on May 15, businesses working with silica must now identify and document high-risk crystalline silica work and the risk control measures they have in place, WorkSafe Victoria said. Read more: insurancenews.com.au
Crystalline silica is contained in products such as engineered stone, ceramic tiles, concrete, bricks and marble. High-risk crystalline silica work can create hazardous dust which, if inhaled, can cause deadly lung and respiratory diseases, such as silicosis.
In 2021, WorkSafe accepted 73 claims from workers who have developed silica related disease as a result of workplace exposure and sadly, five people lost their lives. Read more: nationaltribune.com.au
Key steps on the road to worker safety in Victoria this month should be mirrored nationwide when dealing with silica dust.
Australia is facing an epidemic of silicosis – a fatal but preventable lung disease caused by exposure to high levels of silica dust – partly due to the growth in popularity of artificial stone products (also known as “engineered stone”). Read more: miragenews.com
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