The true extent of the deadly lung disease affecting stonemasons who cut engineered stone kitchen benchtops is hidden and the entire workforce should be urgently medically tested, an international expert has warned.
Save our tradies: Huge blitz on dodgy companies installing stone benchtops - as dozens of workers are struck down by deadly and incurable disease
Dodgy companies installing stone products such as kitchen benchtops have been ordered to stop operating until they overhaul their work safety practices. Read More: dailymail.co.uk
Makers of kitchen stone benchtops told to stop work in Silicosis blitz
More than 100 NSW businesses that use manufactured stone for products such as kitchen benchtops have been ordered to stop work or improve their work safety practices in a blitz to combat the deadly dust disease silicosis.
Read more: smh.com.au
Nation leading program to fight silicosis
A blitz on silicosis has resulted in 114 notices to cease work or improve practices, as part of a nation leading NSW Government program to combat the terrible disease.
Read more: miragenews.com
Queensland health expands surveillance of dust-related diseases
Doctors will be required to notify Queensland Health of dust lung diseases such as coal workers’ pneumoconiosis and silicosis under legislation introduced in State Parliament.
Safety Alert for WorkCover QLD
Abstract: An urgent safety warning for workers and employers in Queensland’s engineered stone benchtop manufacturing industry reinforces the message that dry cutting of engineered stone is prohibited.
Read the full article here: worksafe.qld.gov.au
'I’m terrified': Buckingham's fears amid lung disease crisis in stonemasons
Jeremy Buckingham has not cut a stone benchtop for more than seven years, ever since he won a seat in NSW Parliament. But recently, memories of his stone-cutting days have left him fearing for his life.
Amid public warnings of an impending lung disease crisis in the artificial stone benchtop industry… Read more: The Sydney Morning Herald
Silicosis and lung cancer: current perspectives
Abstract: “Silica” refers to crystalline particles formed by the combination of silicon with oxygen. Inhalation of silica particles promotes the development of pulmonary fibrosis that over prolonged periods increases the risk of lung cancer.
Read full abstract and download article: www.dovepress.com
Protecting Construction Workers' Lungs is a Safety Issue
Construction workers are at high risk for lung cancer and other lung diseases and should take proper care and precautions to keep healthy. Although air quality often takes a backseat to occupational safety, lung cancer mortalities are 50% higher among construction workers than the general population. Read more: www.forconstructionpros.com
Reducing Silica Exposure in Concrete Cutting
Two NIOSH-funded studies through CPWR–The Center for Construction Research and Training and the University of California at Berkeley have identified ways to reduce the hazards of exposing workers to silica dust from sand and rock, when drilling into concrete, which can be dusty, loud, and physically exhausting which can damage the lungs if inhaled.
Read more: sunnewsreport.com