New survey results released last week by Lung Foundation Australia exposes a dangerous gap in workers’ understanding of silicosis, a lung disease that affects 600,000 Australian workers across Construction, Mining/Quarrying, Manufacturing, and Tunnelling.
The results call for ongoing awareness around silicosis, highlighting the importance of education in encouraging workers to be more proactive about their lung health.
This state election period, Lung Foundation Australia CEO Mark Brooke says more needs to be done beyond the banning of engineered stone in the fight against silicosis.
Key findings from the survey’s Queensland respondents reveal:
- 13% of Queensland workers know someone with silicosis, higher than the national average of 9%
- Despite 26% of at-risk Queensland workers being worried about their lung health, 31% don’t wear PPE while at work
- 59% of Queensland workers don’t know what the symptoms of silicosis are; 69% don’t know that silicosis can be asymptomatic
- Only 12% of Queensland workers have discussed silicosis or lung health with their GP
October is National Safe Work Month, and Lung Foundation Australia are working to break the stigma and silence on silicosis and the ongoing threat it poses to 600,000 Australian workers.
Last Tuesday, Lung Foundation Australia released results from a recent survey of over 500 participants designed to understand current awareness and attitudes towards Silicosis amongst workers in at-risk fields including Construction, Mining/Quarrying, Manufacturing, and Tunnelling.
Referred to as the ‘new asbestos’, workers continue to be exposed to silica dust despite the engineered stone ban in the form of sand and sandstone, granite, manufactured stone, concrete and mortar, demolition dust, limestone, and more.
Lung Foundation Australia CEO Mark Brooke emphasises the importance of tackling the rise of silicosis while in its early stages.
“Construction and mining workers are critical to the Queensland workforce, and we are concerned to hear that one in three aren’t wearing appropriate PPE in the workplace. Ensuring workers understand the risks is the first step in encouraging workers to take proactive steps toward safeguarding their health,” Mr Brooke said.
Lung Foundation Australia encourages workers and employers alike to maintain a focus on silicosis, even as regulatory changes reduce exposure risks. Ensuring that those at risk of silicosis are well-informed and comfortable seeking medical advice will be key to managing the disease in the future.
For media enquiries please contact:
Deirdre McGinn on behalf of Lung Foundation Australia
0411 208 408
deirdre@sabio.com.au