Silica in the News
A 22-year-old Gold Coast man says he's struggling to cope with social isolation, after becoming the youngest Queenslander to be diagnosed with the potentially deadly disease, silicosis.
The incurable condition is caused by exposure to silica dust from engineered stone benchtops and Connor Downes had been working with the material for just three years when he submitted himself for testing after a workmate was diagnosed. Read more: abc.net.au
The law firm Slater and Gordon has announced plans to launch a class action against the manufacturers of stone bench tops as more workers are diagnosed with silicosis.
And this week, we heard the news that a 22 year old has the disease.
So what does this tell us about silicosis? And is the best way to tackle it through the courts?
Read more: abc.net.au
A law firm is preparing a class action against bench-top manufacturers with an alarming number of workers developing potentially deadly lung diseases from exposure to silica dust.
In Queensland, more than 100 stonemasons have been diagnosed with silicosis in the six months to April. At least one of them has died, and 15 of the cases are considered to be terminal. Read more: triplem.com.au
Connor Downs is now the youngest Queensland stonemason to be diagnosed with silicosis.
A 22-year-old Gold Coast man says he's struggling to cope with social isolation, after becoming the youngest Queenslander to be diagnosed with the potentially deadly disease, silicosis.
The incurable condition is caused by exposure to silica dust from engineered stone benchtops and Connor Downes had been working with the material for just three years when he submitted himself for testing after a workmate was diagnosed. Read more: abc.net.au
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A study published on Monday at the annual meeting of the American Thoracic Society has concluded that modern mining techniques that kick up large quantities of silica dust are responsible for a recent increase in the number of cases of progressive massive fibrosis.
Read more: mining-technology.com
A report published on Monday shows rising rates of the deadliest black lung disease
Another report shows younger miners are more likely to die of the disease
The prevailing theory is that miners are exposed to more silica dust these days but tissue samples do not reflect that. Read more: dailymail.co.uk
When you're picking out a stone benchtop for your kitchen, do you ever think about the people who work with stone and their safety?
Dr Susan Miles is a local doctor who is on the Engineered Stone and Silicosis Task Force. She's just participated in a safe work symposium on the issue of silicosis, a preventable lung disease that is affecting people who work with cutting and installing stone.
Read/listen more: abc.net.au
More than 300 people from industry, government and research facilities will attend this years SafeWork NSW Silica Symposium – Unmasking those that don’t work safe with Dr Karl as the master of ceremonies.
Minister for Better Regulation, Kevin Anderson, said he was pleased to see business owners and workers from the manufactured stone, sandstone stonemasonry, as well as tunnelling and domestic construction industries attending the event. Read more: miragenews.com
Victoria will impose a ban on “uncontrolled” dry cutting of material containing crystalline silica and a compliance code for businesses involved with the dangerous substance.
The measures are part of a plan the Andrews Government unveiled last week.
More than 300 high-risk workplaces, particularly stonemason workshops, will be targeted in a compliance and enforcement blitz.
Read more: insurancenews.com.au
In late 2018, a new study was published in the Annals of Work Exposures and Health that examined construction workers’ exposure to silica dust. “Characterization of Occupational Exposures to Respirable Silica and Dust in Demolition, Crushing, and Chipping Activities” looked at these potential inhalation hazards at construction sites in Massachusetts.
Read more: webwire.com
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