SafeWork NSW has launched a six-month campaign to raise awareness of silicosis and address silica dust exposure in the construction and tunnelling industry.
Manufactured stone remains the leading cause of silicosis, a deadly disease that has devastating effects on the lungs and is becoming increasingly prevalent in Australian workers.
Industrial workers can also be exposed to silica dust during tunnelling, demolition, and excavation work, or from uncontrolled cutting, grinding, and drilling of common building materials during bricks, concrete, sandstone, and tiles.
Through the campaign, the NSW government seeks to target these areas to prevent a false sense of security ahead of the upcoming ban on manufactured stone in the state.
SafeWork NSW inspectors will ensure businesses are compliant with regulations and speak to workers about managing the risk of exposure to silica dust.
Under the initiative, inspectors can issue ‘stop work’ notices for activities that generate high levels of dust, or when a worksite does not have adequate measures in place to control dust.
Employers can face penalties of up to $130,000 for non-compliance.
The NSW Government recently mandated the establishment of silica worker register to track and trace exposed workers and enable early intervention.
“This campaign is to protect workers who may be exposed to the deadly risks of silica dust and will help ensure safer workplaces in NSW,” said Minister for Work Health and Safety Sophie Cotsis. “The NSW Government is committed a nationally consistent ban on manufactured stone.”
“Exposure to silica dust is an incredibly serious issue for workers in a range of industries and we must learn from the hard lessons of asbestos,” Cotsis added.
In a media release, the state government said it will support a ban on engineered stone at the upcoming national meeting of Work Health and Safety ministers on 13 December and will act unilaterally if no agreement is made.
