Every day, thousands of Australian workers face different types of occupational hazards. The most common reasons for injuries and death include vehicle accidents and slips and falls. In some cases, however, the causes are so small to even matter in the beginning. What is worse is it can take several years before the symptoms manifest. By then, the disease may already become difficult to treat or incurable. A good example is exposure to silica dust.

1. Exposure to Silica Dust
Can Increase the Risks of
Silicosis and Lung Cancer
Maxisafe

2. Every day, thousands of Australian workers face different types of occupational hazards.
The most common reasons for injuries and death include vehicle accidents and slips and
falls. In some cases, however, the causes are so small to even matter in the beginning.
What is worse is it can take several years before the symptoms manifest. By then, the
disease may already become difficult to treat or incurable. A good example is exposure to
silica dust.
The New Asbestos
In 2003, Australia became one of the many countries that banned asbestos. This naturally
occurring fibre mineral had been a prime insulation material during the 1980s. Medical
tests, however, showed that they could lead to serious incurable respiratory conditions
such as mesothelioma.
A person working with asbestos can breathe the fine fibres of the material where they
lodge into the lungs. In time, they can result in permanent scarring and significant loss of
lung function.
Silica dust tends to have the same effect. Silica is a naturally occurring compound found in
many types of rocks, particularly quartz. These materials are now popular as stones in the
kitchen or flooring.

3. Regardless of how they are used, though, they can release very fine particles when
worked on. They can be much smaller than sand for any worker to notice.
The Impact of Silica Dust
In reality, Australia does not have an official register that monitors the occupational
respiratory diseases affecting workers. According to the Cancer Council, however,
exposure and inhalation of silica dust can increase the risk of lung cancer and silicosis,
which is the stiffening and the scarring of the lungs.
Silica dust exposed at least 580,000 Australian workers in 2011. Among this group,
almost 6,000 could develop lung cancer. It is estimated that it takes about 10 to 15 years
before the symptoms appear.
The impact of these occupational respiratory diseases due to silica dust is staggering. Any
condition affecting the respiratory system could have a direct cost over $36,000. Many of
these cases will result in either death or permanent incapacity.
To reduce the prevalence, it requires a clear workers’ safety policy. It is also important for
these businesses to follow government standards that protect the welfare of the
workforce. These include ensuring that workers wear the proper equipment, such as
facemasks and gloves, at all times.

4. Resources
https://maxisafe.com.au/products-page/respiratory-protection/
https://www.cancer.org.au/preventing-cancer/workplace-cancer/silica-dust.html
https://www.safeworkaustralia.gov.au/system/files/documents/1702/occupational_respiratory_dise
ase_australia.pdf