There are calls for the Queensland government to do more to combat the emerging threat of silicosis, after it was revealed hundreds of workplaces have been fined in a crackdown on the engineered stone industry.
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Queensland Industrial Relations Minister Grace Grace says Workplace Health and Safety Queensland is currently investigating eight businesses for systemic breaches of workplace rules regarding silica.
“WHSQ is currently undertaking eight comprehensive investigations for suspected breaches of primary duties under the WHS Act relating to respirable crystalline silica,” Ms Grace said.
“The maximum penalties that may be imposed under the Act are $3 million for corporations, $600,000 for officers of a company and $300,000 for individuals.”
The eight investigations come off the back of 562 statutory and infringement notices being issued by WHSQ during a four-month crackdown on the stone fabrication industry as the health effects of working with manufactured stone come to light.
Silicosis is an irreversible lung disease caused by inhaling silica dust, with many manufactured stone products, such as kitchen and bathroom benchtops, containing up to 90 per cent crystalline silica.
As a result, stonemasons who do not practise appropriate safety measures can very quickly be affected by the debilitating condition, which is often only treatable with a lung transplant.
The ABC reports 98 Queensland workers have been diagnosed with silicosis so far, with 799 others referred for testing.
Ms Grace said the health of workers was an “absolute priority”.
“It is imperative workers in the industry, or those who have previously worked in it, undergo urgent health screening,” she said.
“The development of explicit regulations to prohibit dry cutting of stone, along with a code of practice for the Queensland industry, is well-advanced and will be finalised as soon as possible.”
Shine Lawyers' dust disease expert Roger Singh said the measures did not go far enough, and recommended a licensing scheme for stonemasons.
“Young stonemasons are still being exposed to unsafe, dodgy workplaces," he said.
“It is a nationwide problem and what is required is an immediate roll out of vigorous regulation of the industry through a stringent licensing regime to eliminate unsafe work practices”
Ms Grace said she had written to the Morrison government calling for restrictions on the importation of engineered stone, but the Commonwealth had rejected that suggestion.
Of the 98 confirmed silicosis cases in Queensland, 15 are listed as terminal.
State Opposition Leader Deb Frecklington accused the government of waiting too long to act on the crisis.
“In relation to the actual people who are suffering, what we need to do is make sure the government is acting to test as soon as possible, they need a plan in place and they should be meeting with these people immediately,” Ms Frecklington said.
The Queensland government first announced the crackdown on the engineered stone industry in September 2018, with the government setting up a Notifiable Dust Lung Disease Register in November 2018.
