Exclusive: NSW to ban dry cutting of stone products to combat deadly silicosis | AnnaPattySMH
The NSW government will ban the dry cutting of artificial stone products used for kitchen benchtops in response to an emerging epidemic of deadly silica dust diseases. The ban, backed by Labor, comes as NSW doctors report the first cases of silica exposure in Australia causing an autoimmune disease affecting connective tissue in the joints, lungs and skin.
Unlike asbestos-related diseases, which usually emerge in older age, silicosis is striking Australians in their 20s, 30s and 40s. The disease is affecting a growing number of young men who have cut and installed artificial stone fittings, including kitchen benchtops. It is feared the booming popularity of artificial stone benchtops is leading to an increase in silicosis cases.NSW Minister for Better Regulation Kevin Anderson said a ban on all dry cutting that exposed workers to silica dust would be in place by July 1 and silicosis will become a notifiable disease with all cases to be listed on a single register.“To protect workers in NSW, we’re banning the dry-cutting of manufactured stone, and SafeWork inspectors will be able to issue tough new on the spot fines for non-compliance,” he said. “We need more oversight of diagnosed silicosis cases, which is why silicosis will now be a notifiable disease.” The NSW government has previously committed to a new silica workplace exposure standard of 0.05mg/m3, and this will be effective from July 1. Associate Professor Deborah Yates and colleagues from Sydney's St Vincent's Hospital and Wollongong Hospital have reported their findings of new cases and an emerging Australian epidemic of silicosis in theWorkers affected include a 45-year-old who died after being exposed to silica dust over 15 years of installing artificial stone kitchen benchtops and stonemasonry. Another has had a lung transplant because of severe silicosis. Associate Professor Yates said silicosis was "entirely preventable" and could be controlled by putting water on the stone when it is being cut, and by using exhaust ventilation and protective equipment including masks. She felt that dry cutting should be banned. Silica dust could be inhaled and absorbed into the body and cause an autoimmune response affecting connective tissue. Labor MP Daniel Mookhey said NSW Labor supported the introduction of a register of dust diseases including silicosis and asbestosis. “A notifiable dust diseases register exponentially speeds up the authorities’ response because they’ll know where people have inhaled this dangerous dust and protect others at risk,” he said. Mr Mookhey said banning dry-cutting would set an enforceable standard "and sends a clear message to the industry". Under Labor's policy to be announced on Friday, it supports a reduction in silica dust exposure standards for all non-mining industries, regular screening of workers exposed to silica dust and the introduction of high standards of personal protection, such as full-face respirators, for workers cutting manufactured stone. Labor also wants all companies engaged in the fabrication of manufactured stone to register with SafeWork NSW every year to improve monitoring of the industry.
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