Australia Becomes the First Country to Ban Engineered Stone Due to Silicosis Risk

After years of campaigning and raising awareness from doctors, trade unions and workers; the Australian federal and state workplace ministers have finally taken action; based on the recommendation made by Safe Work Australia in their ‘Decision Regulation Impact Statement: Prohibition on the use of engineered stone’.

The Cancer Council estimates that 587,000 Australian workers were exposed to silica dust in 2011 – with 5,758 expected to develop cancer as a result. However, it is important to understand that even if workers have been exposed to silica dust, it can take several years for symptoms of silicosis to develop, which is why it is vital to implement effective control measures from the beginning of any project, especially activities that include Respirable Crystalline Silica (RCS).

Dr Ryan Hoy, a respiratory doctor who led the world’s most comprehensive study of silicosis in stonemasons, has described the soaring rates in Australia as the worst health crisis he has seen.

The ban of all engineered stone is therefore a great first step to ensure the safety of our future generations of workers, although more must be done in order to reduce hazardous dust on site including Respirable Crystaline Silica dust.

What is Silicosis?

Silicosis is a form of occupational lung disease caused by inhaling large amounts of Respirable Crystalline Silica (RCS) dust over a long period of time. Silica dust is commonly found in sandstone, concrete, granite, slate, tile, brick and other common building materials. Site activities such as cutting, drilling, and sanding causes the fine silica dust particles to become airborne, which increases the risk of it being inhaled into the lungs. Continuous build-up of silica dust in the lungs, leads to areas of the tissue to scar and hardened, interfering with the lungs being able to function effectively.

What are the health effects associated with Respirable Crystaline Silica (RCS) dust?

Silicosis isn’t the only disease associated with Silica dust, it can also cause cancers and other severe chronic illnesses, including:

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD): The collective term of a group of lung diseases where the lungs become inflamed, damaged and narrowed. The result is an inability to breathe easily making day-to-day activities a challenge.

Tuberculosis: A disease of the lungs with symptoms including a persistent cough, fatigue, loss of appetite and fever. If left untreated, tuberculosis can kill.

Kidney disease & Rheumatoid arthritis: Continuously inhaling silica dust can cause renal diseases, and studies also link skin exposure to silica dust particles with the development of autoimmune disorders such as SLE, rheumatoid arthritis and scleroderma.

Lung cancer: Exposure to silica dust can cause lung cancer, which is the 2nd highest cause of occupational deaths within the construction industry. The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) notes: “Crystalline silica in the form of quartz or cristobalite dust is carcinogenic to humans (Group 1).”

The dangers of inhaling silica dust: Ben’s story

For 10 years, Ben Harrison had been working as a stonemason by cutting kitchen worktops in sheds with dust so thick that he could barely see his colleagues. After experiencing frequent flu symptoms and a stubborn cough, Ben was advised by friends to get tested in 2019 after an ex-colleague was diagnosed with silicosis, which he later died from. A day before his 30^th birthday, it was confirmed that Ben had also developed the same incurable lung disease. This was due to the high content of silica dust exposure at work, which involved no PPE or dust extraction units. Since Ben’s diagnoses, his life revolves around appointments, medications and symptoms of fatigue; where he struggles with daily activities and has missed out on many key milestones with his family.

Unaware of the dangers of silica dust, this has led many workers in Australia such as Ben, to deal with an incurable battle that could have easily been prevented with the right control measures.

Read more about Ben’s story here > Ben never thought going to work would kill him. Then his mates started getting sick | 7NEWS

It’s not just workers in the stonemasonry industry who are exposed to concerning levels of silica dust, it’s also those working in:

• Construction and demolition, because of exposure to concrete and paving materials
• Pottery, glass, and ceramics manufacturing
• Sand blasting
• Mining and quarrying
• Sweeping and shovelling dry materials (usually in construction)

What control measures can help to mitigate the risks?

Projects that involve dusty activities should have extraction and filtration units on site. It is important to select an extraction system that has a suitable capture hood, sufficient airflow for the level of dust being generated, and a HEPA filter that will remove 99.97% of particulate. You can also reduce the risk of dust migration, by using appropriate containment tents or enclosures and creating a negative pressure environment.

Dustex Raptor - The Raptor incorporates a three-stage filter system, including a H13 HEPA filter, making it ideal for protecting workers against silica dust. The unit comes with a capture hood and ducting. This unit is portable and lightweight, and has a variable airflow of up to 1000 m3/h Airflow. Find out more > Dust Extractor Hire - Dust Filtration Australia | RVT (rvtgroup.com.au)

Dustex RapterPro - The RaptorPro is the ultimate solution for silica dust control. The unit features; a 600mm x 600mm capture hood, ducting and a 100% sealed casing to ensure zero dust migration. Three stages of filter media sit within the plastic body, alongside a high performance mixed flow fan. The initial filter is a grade EU4 washable filter, followed by an EU7 filter and a HEPA filter. This unit is compatible with both H13 and H14 HEPA filters making it ideal for silica dust control. This unit can achieve an airflow of up to 2500 m3/h when used with 3 stages of filter media. Find out more > Dust Filtration and Extractor Hire Australia | RVT (rvtgroup.com.au)

Dustex Hydramist Units - Dust Suppression is a great way to control dust from activities such as demolition and quarrying. It can either dampen down surfaces and stockpiles to stop dust from becoming airborne, or a fine mist is sprayed to intercept airborne particles and bring them to the ground. Some units provide a very fine mist, whereas others provide a high concentration of water to suppress heavier dust particles. Our units vary in size and can offer a throw of between 10m and 60m. Some models feature an integrated water tank for convenience, whereas other units need to be connected to a water supply; each are best suited to different applications. Find out more > Portable Dust Extraction Systems | Dust Enclosures | RVT (rvtgroup.com.au)

Educational Resources

If you are interested to learn more about silica dust and preventing exposure, check out some of our FREE resources below.

Whitepaper: Understanding the Dangers of Silica Dust - Understanding the Dangers of Silica Dust | Downloads | RVT (rvtgroup.com.au)

Video - Preventing Silicosis and dust build-up on site - Preventing Silicosis and dust build-up on site | RVT (rvtgroup.com.au)

Speak to a Specialist in Silica Dust Control

Here at RVT Group we are always on hand to provide compliant hazard control solutions for your site. If you require support for your latest project, don’t hesitate to contact us on 1300 086 248. Alternatively, fill in our enquiry form and one of our qualified consultants will be in touch > Book a Free Consultation | RVT (rvtgroup.com.au)