Lung Foundation Australia has commended new proactive steps agreed to by State and Commonwealth Governments to ensure Australia’s ban on the use and importation of engineered stone will meet its July 1 start date.
Lung Foundation Australia CEO Mark Brooke said practical initiatives for Workplace Health and Safety laws were comprehensively addressed at the recent Work Health and Safety Meeting of State, Territory and Commonwealth Ministers.
“Lung Foundation Australia gives our thanks and continued support to the work being put in on behalf of our nation’s tradies, who should be able to go to work each day without fearing what they’re breathing in is going to kill them,” Mr Brooke said.
“We were pleased to see agreement on a number of key matters regarding banning the use of engineered stone benchtops, panels and slabs, and endorsement of a stronger regulatory framework to manage the risk of exposure to respirable crystalline silica from other materials and products.”
While Australia is now at the world forefront in the fight to completely obliterate the deadly resurgence of silicosis, thousands who have already been affected will continue to need support in living with their diagnosis.
Lung Foundation Australia’s Silicosis Social Work program now sits alongside the charity’s Silicosis Support Nurse service, and both are free, confidential telephone-based support networks for people living with silicosis, their family and carers. Dedicated online peer support groups are also available.
“Silicosis is an insidious disease which currently has no cure, and we know it is going to affect thousands of people over the next few years,” Mr Brooke said.
“With the latest research finding more than a quarter of Australians who have worked with artificial stone benchtops have already developed the disease, getting support services in place has been crucial.”
“Lung Foundation Australia has been fighting for almost 5 years to see the scourge of silicosis taken seriously by industry and government, and we stand with the thousands of Aussie workers and their families who said, enough is enough,” he said.
Through Lung Foundation Australia’s Silicosis Social Work service, patients will be helped to navigate the practical and emotional impact of living with silicosis.
The organisation can provide information, support and referral pathways on a range of topics such as:
- Processing a diagnosis
- Impact on family and relationships
- Financial and housing assistance
- Coping with progression
- Emotional and mental health support
The Silicosis Support Nurse service can also provide information and support around understanding and living with silicosis, which may include information around coping with breathlessness, fatigue, and other challenging symptoms that come with this disease, as well as provide guidance about relevant support services.
For media enquiries please contact:
0408 191 192
Lung Foundation Australia Media and Communications Specialist Anna Hilton
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