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Dangerous silica dust is not confined to benchtops. Around 4% of Australian workers risk exposure to respirable crystalline silica, across industries from engineered stone and masonry to tunnelling, mining, construction, demolition and jewellery polishing.
That exposure can cause serious and often life-threatening disease, including silicosis. Researchers estimate current workplace exposure could lead to more than 83,000 future cases in Australia.
In 2024 Australia became the first country in the world to ban the manufacture, supply, processing and installation of crystalline silica-containing engineered stone containing 1% or more crystalline silica. But supporting medical professionals to identify silica related disease and respond to risk is a key complement to reforms in regulatory systems, workplace control measures, and legislation.
Our updated National guidance for doctors assessing workers exposed to respirable crystalline silica dust supports medical professionals to identify and evaluate those most at risk – detecting disease earlier and intervening before further harm occurs.
Spanning available evidence, clinical evaluation strategies and collaborative decision making with patients, our guidance outlines best practices for health assessments and monitoring.
Key updates include:
- enhanced protocols for identifying and managing silica-related diseases
- revised health monitoring requirements
- a nationwide ban on the importation and use of engineered stone – significantly reducing risk for workers across industries like stone masonry and stone benchtop manufacturing and fabricating.
By staying informed and following the new guidance, healthcare professionals and industry stakeholders can help keep workplaces safe.