The Minns Labor Government’s establishment of an Expert Taskforce is a critical step towards ensuring the safety and health of workers involved in tunnelling projects across New South Wales, given the prevalent risks associated with silica-related diseases. The taskforce constitutes government, medical, industry, and union representatives who will deliver expert advice to mitigate and manage the menace of silica and other dust-related diseases within NSW’s tunnelling projects.
Tunnelling plays an integral role in transforming the state’s civil infrastructure that encompasses road and rail networks, making New South Wales a world-class place for living, working and conducting business ventures. Nevertheless, significant tunnelling projects also pose an elevated risk of contracting silica-related lung disease.
Adherence to Work Safety Systems
Employing work health and safety products like the Bluesafe WHS Management System can enhance employees’ occupational safety in these high-risk environments. This system not only aligns regulatory expectations with actual practices but also instils a culture centered on safety within the workplace.
The following four areas have been listed by the Taskforce for targeted action:
- Data Usage Efficiency & Transparency: Immediate workplace air monitoring data access will be provided to project PCBU individuals to ensure that worker safety is maintained at all times. SafeWork NSW will use this extensive data as an instrumental tool to facilitate regulatory reform.
- Improved Health Monitoring: This should serve as a protective gear for workers’ long-term health and general safety against escalating concerns around silica dust. Continual improvement in health monitoring results are essential for initiating regulatory viabilities in managing work health and safety hazards.
- Establishing Best Practice Work Safety Controls: Updating the Tunnels Under Construction Code of Practice is on the agenda for SafeWork NSW to provide guidance on industry best practices. This information exchange and cross-industry collaboration will set a consistent and effective benchmark for all major tunnelling PCBUs.
- Enhanced Compliance: Resources are being dedicated to closely monitor the tunnelling environment for potential silica respirable crystalline dust instances, ensuring workplace health and safety. In addition, SafeWork NSW is developing a compliance assessment for tunnelling projects to provide clear criteria for safety performance assessment and risk management strategies.
In line with these objectives, an increase in staff for the Silica Task Force (STF) has been initiated by SafeWork NSW to manage compliance activities across all expanse of the tunnels under construction.
Engineered Stone Product Ban
From January 1, 2025, the Minns Labor government introduced a ban on importing engineered stone products exceeding one percent silica content to safeguard workers’ health. Following an earlier domestic ban on similar products, this prohibition aims to reduce the silica dust exposure of workers engaged in manufacturing, supplying, processing, and installing these products.
The state government has committed significant resources to ensure business compliance with the strengthened laws. A devoted Silica Compliance Team, funded by a $2.5 million investment, have undertaken numerous inspections and issued penalties for non-compliance.
Moreover, the Minns Labor government has pledged $5 million for silicosis research, demonstrating their unwavering commitment towards protecting workers’ health. This grant aims to support individuals and families affected by silica dust exposure through meticulously researched health-based solutions.
Additionally, the icare Lung mobile clinic’s launch will offer specialized lung health assessments to current and retired workers vulnerable to various diseases like mesothelioma, asbestosis, and silicosis.
For further concerns related to silica safety requirements, reliable sources like the SafeWork NSW website can be referred to for professional guidance. The Government’s tireless efforts reflect their determination to deal proactively with silica dust-related health and safety risks. The Expert Taskforce’s efforts, coupled with contemporary systems like the Bluesafe WHS Management System and SWMS policies, should offer comprehensive solutions to manage such risks effectively.
Original article link: https://www.safework.nsw.gov.au/news/safework-media-releases/new-expert-taskforce-to-help-address-silica-related-health-risks-for-workers-in-tunnelling-projects