Silica dry cutting ban flagged by the ACT government as part of efforts to reduce worker harm

The ACT government will also introduce mandatory nationally accredited silica dust awareness training for workers, similar to an existing scheme which requires construction industry workers to have mandatory asbestos awareness training.

A second set of regulations will be introduced later, requiring clear air monitoring and health monitoring requirements to ensure workplaces do not exceed exposure thresholds for silica dust.

The cutting ban will apply to engineered stone, natural stone containing silica, concrete and masonry, cement and mortar, and bricks.

"Crystalline silica is most dangerous to health when dust is generated, becomes airborne and is inhaled by workers. Exposure risks are heightened with uncontrolled dry cutting using power tools," a silica dust action plan released by the ACT government on Friday said.

Workers will need to have undertaken the mandatory awareness training by July 1, 2023, while clear air monitoring and health checks will be mandatory from January 1, 2023.

The construction secretary of the ACT branch of the Construction, Forestry, Mining and Energy union, Zachary Smith, welcomed the changes but warned the whole construction industry would need to lift its game.

"Silicosis is killing construction workers and the industry has been too slow in halting exposures," Mr Smith said.

"Silicosis is a horrific disease that destroys the lungs with a shockingly high mortality rate and sub-contractors have worked with us, but we need the whole industry to act together to reduce the risk posed by this deadly substance."

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The ACT government will also introduce a requirement that workers need a health baseline recorded before they start work a silica risk environment, along with regular checks during the course of the worker's employment.

"The ACT will also continue to consider, with a view to adopting, all national model codes of practice developed by SafeWork Australia pertaining to silica safety," the government's action plan said.

The Cancer Council has said approximately 587,000 Australian workers were exposed to silica dust in the workplace in 2011, and roughly 5758 of those workers would develop a lung cancer as a result of that exposure.

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