SAFETY
FEATURE
SILICOSIS SAFETY AND PROTECTION WorkSafe Victoria provides tools to help create a safe and healthy workplace. As a statutory authority of the Victorian state government, it asks: Are you a worker or an employer in the stonemason industry?
I
n the last year, Victoria has seen a significant increase in workers diagnosed with silicosis and about 80% of these have worked in the stonemason industry. When workers do things like cut, grind, drill or polish products that contain crystalline silica, it releases very fine dust. Some of the dust is so small they may not be able to see it. When breathed in, this dust can cause silicosis and other related diseases. These diseases don’t discriminate. They can affect young workers just starting out in their trade, tradespeople in the prime of their working lives as well as older workers looking forward to retirement. Those in the stonemasonry, construction and the extractive
industries may all be exposed to crystalline silica dust. Benchtop fabrication workers are at higher risk because they regularly work with engineered stone; a product that can contain up to 95% crystalline silica. In response to the alarming silicosis rates, Worksafe has developed a free silicosis health assessment program for all past and present workers in the Victorian stonemason industry. It is really important stonemasons and other industry professionals have a respiratory health assessment if they have worked with or still work with crystalline silica. It’s easy to register by calling WorkSafe Advisory on 1800 136 089 (option 1, option 3) or email healthscreening@worksafe.vic.
28 | DISCOVERING STONE #36 | www.discoveringstonemagazine.com.au
gov.au and leave your name and contact number. The health assessment program has helped Worksafe identify workers who have silicosis or associated diseases, such as lung cancer and autoimmune disorders. Early detection of these diseases can lead to far better health outcomes. Since the program began in May last year, close to 700 stonemasons have registered for a free health assessment. Sadly, there has already been over 60 positive diagnosis (all data is accurate as of March 2020). A number of stonemasons are still progressing through the health 30
