At-Risk Workers Urged to Hold Employers to Account on Silica

Insurance and care provider icare NSW is urging at-risk workers to hold their employers to account and ensure they receive regular, ongoing screening for silica-dust exposure.

Dr Nick Allsop, icare Group Executive Care, said it was important that workers realise that a one-off or irregular screening wasn’t good enough.

“It’s a legal requirement for all employers in NSW to provide health monitoring for staff at risk of exposure to crystalline silica – not just once, but on an ongoing basis, in accordance with Work, Health and Safety Guidelines.”

Dr Allsop said icare had seen a 328 percent spike in demand for screening for silica dust exposure since 2017.

“We attribute this increasing demand to the growing national conversation and the excellent work of SafeWork NSW and their Roadmap 2022 program, which is reaching those small employers we haven’t been able to reach in the past, particularly in the manufactured stone industry.”

“While it’s great that we’re seeing the screening numbers continue to rise year-on-year, the rapid increase indicates that not all employers were compliant with their obligation to refer their workers in the past”.

“Preventing harmful exposure is the first and most important priority. Increased awareness of the risks associated with crystalline silica will hopefully lead to more precautions being taken by those working with silica-containing products.”

“However, it is crucial that workers are vigilant and ensure they receive the ongoing screening they are entitled to.”

“Regular, ongoing screening is critical. It means we can detect any abnormalities early and give you the best chance of preventing further exposure and damage to your lungs.”

icare says 63 cases of silicosis have been detected through the 2,047 assessments conducted by its screening services between 1st July 2019 and 31st December 2019.

“While we have seen an increase in detections in the last six months, NSW has been providing a subsidised lung screening service for workers potentially exposed to hazardous dusts in the workplace continuously for almost 20 years.”

“This long period of screening has allowed early detection in NSW over many years.”

“Don’t put it off. If you think you may have been exposed to hazardous dusts in the workplace and have never had a lung health screen, or it’s been a long time since your last screening, know what you are entitled to. Speak to your employer or get in touch with icare.”