Public consultation is underway on the form and scope of a new register in NSW to monitor and track the health of at-risk workers exposed to respirable crystalline silica (RCS) – otherwise known as silica dust.
Silicosis is a preventable occupational disease caused by inhalation of very fine silica dust particles, with workers at greatest risk in mining and construction including the engineered stone industry.
Eliminating the risks associated with silica is a high priority for the Minns Government and a number of initiatives have been introduced including:
- a ban on engineered stone, including a federal ban from 1 January 2025 on its importation.
- tougher safety laws to protect workers
- increased SafeWork NSW inspector presence to enforce regulations
- funding for a SafeWork NSW Silica Team.
The new silica worker register will be used to ramp up health screening services for at-risk workers, minimise the impacts of silica dust exposure and prevent illness.
The NSW Government on Have Your Say is seeking feedback from the community, including from past and present workers and employers in construction, manufacturing, mining and tunnelling.
The feedback will help ensure the silica worker register reflects industry needs and protects workers and the community.
SafeWork NSW is conducting the consultation and will carefully consider all feedback received.
The closing date for submissions is Sunday, 3 November 2024.
For more information, visit: https://www.haveyoursay.nsw.gov.au/silica-worker-register
Minister for Work Health and Safety, Sophie Cotsis:
“The Minns Government is committed to ensuring workers across the state are safe at work and the new silica worker register is an important step in the fight against silicosis.
“Silicosis is entirely preventable and feedback from past and present workers, unions and employers will help to ensure the new register protects workers.
“The new register will help us to ramp up and target health screening services, minimise the impacts of silica dust exposure and prevent illness.”