WA: Health Surveillance Requirements for Silica Strengthened

The WA Government has made a key change to the Occupational Safety and Health Regulations 1996 that will increase protections for workers exposed to respirable crystalline silica in the engineered stone industry.

Employers are now required (with a three-month grace period) to provide a low-dose high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT) scan, supervised by an appointed medical practitioner, instead of the previously required chest X-ray.

State Industrial Relations Minister Bill Johnston said HRCT scans are considered superior to chest X-rays and will assist in the early detection of silicosis.

Silicosis is a serious and potentially lethal occupational lung disease caused by exposure to respirable crystalline silica in industries such as engineered stone product manufacturing, installation, stonemasonry and construction work.

The amendment follows the WA Government’s recent decision to halve the workplace exposure standard for respirable crystalline silica.

“The low-dose high-resolution CT scan coupled with the recent halving of the workplace exposure standard for respirable crystalline silica, will be of great assistance in improving health outcomes for workers exposed to silica,” Johnston said.

“There has been much concern about the number of silicosis cases in the Eastern States and, although we have seen relatively few cases in WA, it’s appropriate we take action to minimise the risks for workers.”