Progress for Australians working with silica dust

All Australian workers who work with silica dust, not just those working with engineered stone, will be protected by new laws that come into effect yesterday, on Sunday, 1 September 2024. This is following a total ban on engineered stone, which came into effect on 1 July 2024. Find out more in this update from Safe Work Australia.

The RACP is pleased amendments to WHS regulations have been introduced, as we've been advocating to raise concerns for workers being diagnosed with silicosis. We called for a National Dust Diseases Taskforce, which was delivered in 2019, and the Taskforce handed down several recommendations in their Final report in June 2021.

We are now moving to full implementation of the Taskforce recommendations. These will strengthen protections for workers at risk of exposure to silica dust across all industries, including building and construction.

However, dust exposure, which may cause silicosis and other diseases, is still common in many occupations across Australia. It is important for workers and employers to engage with specialist physicians who can explore and assess hazards that may be an WHS issue, as well as examine and monitor workers for their health and safety.