NSW is implementing stricter workplace health and safety (WHS) measures for tunnelling projects to combat silicosis and other dust-related diseases. The state government has established an expert taskforce to oversee four key action areas aimed at protecting workers from crystalline silica dust exposure.
Key Initiatives
- Data Transparency: PCBUs must provide workers access to workplace air monitoring data, with SafeWork NSW making exceedance notifications publicly available.
- Improved Health Monitoring: A new silica worker register will track at-risk workers’ health.
- Enhanced WHS Controls: SafeWork NSW will revise the Tunnels Under Construction Code of Practice and facilitate industry best practice sharing.
- Strengthened Compliance: A new compliance assessment will evaluate project safety performance and risk control measures.
Work Health and Safety Minister Sophie Cotsis stated, “The expert taskforce will give the community confidence that we have the right experience and expertise in the same room to guide the response to this risk”.
Recent Developments
These initiatives follow significant changes in silica-related WHS regulations:
- National ban on silica-containing engineered stone products (July 2024)
- Stricter WHS duties for all silica-related processes (September 2024)
- Endorsement of Australia’s first Silica National Strategic Plan
SafeWork NSW’s acting deputy secretary Trent Curtin emphasised ongoing collaboration with industry to ensure compliance and worker protection.
Workplace Exposure Standards
The current workplace exposure standard (WES) for respirable crystalline silica (RCS) is 0.05 mg/m3 over an 8-hour time-weighted average. PCBUs must conduct air monitoring if there’s uncertainty about WES exceedance or potential health risks.
For more information on crystalline silica and silicosis, visit Safe Work Australia’s dedicated page: Crystalline silica and silicosis
These measures reflect Australia’s commitment to improving workplace safety and preventing occupational diseases in high-risk industries like tunnelling and construction.
