Silica in the News
The Department of Labor's workplace safety agency is getting ready to take new action to reduce workers' exposure to dangerous silica dust that can irreparably damage the lungs.
But the agency's new program doesn't give special attention to the kitchen and bathroom countertop industry, which has recently seen cases of severe lung damage that have alarmed public health officials. Read more: wgbh.org
A Queensland stonemason diagnosed with a terminal lung disease has been dealt a second blow after his insurers ruled he was not eligible for a lump sum payout.
Two years ago, Gary Moratti, 51, collapsed at work and was rushed to Logan Hospital.
It was there that doctors delivered crushing news to the father-of-three - he had silicosis.
The incurable lung condition is caused by long-term exposure to silica dust and has become an epidemic among stonemasons. Read more: 9news.com.au
Work health and safety (WHS) ministers have agreed to reduce the workplace exposure standards for respirable crystalline silica as soon as practicable.
The workplace exposure standard for respirable crystalline silica is set to go down from 0.1 milligram to a time weighted average of 0.05 milligrams a cubic metre. Read more: safetowork.com.au
Almost three out of four manufactured stone work sites in NSW have been issued with silica-related breach notices in the past five years, after inspections by the workplace safety watchdog uncovered widespread non-compliance in the industry.
SafeWork NSW identified safety breaches at 187 of the 255 the manufactured stone businesses operating - or 73 per cent of the industry - in the course of audits carried out since 2014, with the vast majority of inspections conducted in the past two years. Read more: smh.com.au
Elise Archer,Minister for Building and Construction
The Hodgman majority Liberal Government is committed to keeping Tasmanians safe and I am pleased a new campaign is underway to raise awareness about the potentially deadly dangers of silica dust.
A key element of the campaign is a television commercial which warns Tasmanians that inhaling even a tiny amount of silica dust can cause deadly silicosis. Read more: miragenews.com
The number of Tasmanian workers claiming compensation for silicosis has more than doubled since October 2018.
There have been nine claims since 1990, with five lodged in the last year.
Silica is found in sand, stone, concrete and mortar, and is used to make some kitchen and bathroom benchtops, bricks, tiles and some plastics. Read more: abc.net.au
As the holiday season hits, all Tasmanians especially DIY renovators are being reminded of the dangers of silica dust as part of an awareness campaign by the WorkCover Tasmania Board and WorkSafe.
Workers compensation claims related to silicosis in Tasmania have doubled since October 2018 with five claims made by workers engaged in manufacturing engineered stone benchtops of a total nine claims since 1990.
Read more: theadvocate.com.au
Two of Australia's largest suppliers of popular kitchen and bathroom surfaces including Caesarstone were refused insurance cover because of the risk of workers contracting lung disease after inhaling dust from the products.
The move by insurers has led to calls for the surfaces to be banned from sale in Australia but the industry has insisted the product is "100 per cent" safe if handled correctly. Read more: smh.com.au
Leading dust diseases law firm, Maurice Blackburn has accused the NSW government of failing the state’s stone workers by not doing enough to address the silicosis epidemic.
SafeWork NSW claims it has left “no stone unturned” when it comes to silicosis, but Maurice Blackburn Principal, Jonathan Walsh says there is scant detail on even the number of workers affected by silicosis in NSW. Read more: miragenews.com
A cross-industry strategy lead by SafeWork NSW has dramatically increased awareness of silicosis and standardised practices of exposure prevention.
SafeWork NSW has visited every stone manufacturing business in the state and in addition has had 448 interactions with businesses in the tunnelling, domestic and civil construction, foundries, and building products industries. Read more: miragenews.com
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