Workers Still Diagnosed with Silicosis Two Years After Engineered Stone Ban

Workers Still Diagnosed with Silicosis Two Years After Engineered Stone Ban

02 Jul 2026

To raise awareness, Lung Foundation Australia joined the Australian Council of Trade Unions (ACTU) and Maurice Blackburn Lawyers at an Occupational Lung Disease Lobby Day in Canberra. The event brought together workers, advocates and industry representatives affected by occupational lung diseases.

Although Australia banned the manufacture, supply, processing and installation of engineered stone products in July 2024, with imports banned from January 2025, Mark Brooke said the ban alone is not enough to address the long-term impact of silica dust exposure.

He said workers are still being diagnosed because of past exposure and stressed the importance of ongoing investment in prevention, early detection, research, education and support services.

Liam O'Brien said more than 600,000 Australian workers are exposed to silica dust in industries such as mining, construction, tunnelling and manufacturing. He called for lower workplace exposure limits to further reduce the risk of occupational lung disease.

According to the National Occupational Respiratory Disease Registry, there have been 229 reported cases of occupational respiratory disease, including 168 cases of silicosis and 61 cases involving other occupational lung diseases.

Lung Foundation Australia is calling for stronger national investment to improve worker protection through better education, prevention programs, research, data collection and support for people already living with occupational lung disease.

Workers Still Diagnosed with Silicosis Two Years After Engineered Stone Ban

Source: Lung Foundation Australia

Categories

Popular Posts

Recent Posts

Tags