Silica dust exposure poses a serious risk to Australian workers, with over half a million exposed across industries like mining, construction, and quarrying. A Curtin University study predicts over 10,000 cases of lung cancer and 103,000 diagnoses of silicosis due to current exposure levels.

Safe to Work sat down with the Australian Institute of Occupational Hygienists (AIOH) to discuss what can be done to protect workers from this invisible threat. Through tools like the Silica Resource Hub and Breathe Freely Australia, AIOH provides free advice, training, and resources to prevent exposure.

Recent updates to WHS regulations set stricter controls to protect workers, including improved ventilation, dust suppression, and enclosed operator cabins. But AIOH’s Tracey Bence stresses prevention at the source: “The mining sector has made progress, but more work is needed to prevent silica-related diseases like silicosis and lung cancer.”

Learn more about AIOH’s critical work and how industries are stepping up to combat silica exposure.

👉 Read the full article in Safe to Work here