On-the-spot fines will be enforced for employers engaging in unsafe dry-cutting practices as part of a new plan to reduce cases of the deadly lung disease silicosis in NSW.
Minister for Better Regulation, Kevin Anderson announced the plan to reduce the incidence of silicosis, caused by ingesting harmful dust when dry-cutting manufactured stone.
“Dry-cutting is an offence and for those who choose to ignore the law and put their employees at risk, SafeWork inspectors will issue tough new fines for noncompliance,” Mr Anderson said.
“Wet cutting prevents dust from escaping into the air and could significantly reduce the number of silicosis cases in NSW,” he said.
“To help purchase new equipment the NSW Government will offer rebates of up to $1,000 to manufactured stone businesses until 30 June.”
Mr Anderson said silicosis was a notifiable disease and a new Silicosis Health Register would allow SafeWork to track and investigate the workplaces of those diagnosed with the disease.
“To protect workers from the dangers of silica dust we need more oversight of diagnosed silicosis cases, which is why it will now be a notifiable disease, with all cases listed on a single register,” he said.
“SafeWork NSW will be notified when patients are diagnosed so they can immediately investigate the patients’ current and previous workplaces and determine the source of the unsafe work practice that led to the disease,” Mr Anderson said.