Man doing construction work. Source : Anamul Rezel via Pexels
The Federal Government has invested $3.9 million into preventing and supporting workers who contract silicosis, an incurable lung disease.
Silicosis is caused by long-term exposure to silica dust.
Nearly one in four engineered stone workers were diagnosed with silicosis or other related diseases if they worked in the industry prior to 2018.
The gran will be given to Lung Foundation Australia, who will focus efforts on preventing the disease, strengthen the evidence base, and build research.
Assistant Minister for Health and Aged Care Ged Kearney said contracting an incurable disease should not be an occupational hazard.
“Workers deserve to feel safe and protected on the job, and go on to live happy, healthy lives with their loved ones – not deal with the consequences of a preventable and incurable respiratory condition.” Mr Kearney said.
“Silicosis is a preventable disease, and yet it continues to affect too many of our workers and we know the numbers are likely to increase.
“Raising awareness and developing better coordinated care strategies is an integral part of tackling the problem.
“There’s work to be done and this is a step in the right direction.” He said.
The grant will help fund education and communication activities aimed at raising awareness of risk factors to help prevent workers from contracting silica dust related diseases.
This will be done in dust generating industries, including construction, tunnelling, mining, and quarrying.
Lung Foundation Australia CEO Mark Brooke said the funding was important in moving forward with helping Australians in construction industries with tackling this disease.
“We know that cases of dust-related diseases will continue to climb in the coming years.” Mr Brooke said.
“Recent research has predicted between 83,090 and 103,860 silicosis cases are expected to result from current occupational exposure so it’s positive to see that these people will have dedicated support to help them in their time of need.
“Many diagnosed with silicosis are relatively young and of working age so it’s important that these services are made available to workers and their families to help alleviate the emotional and financial stresses that come with such a life-changing diagnosis.” He said.
The grant will help expand the Lung Foundation’s Respiratory Care Nurse service, which is a telephone-based service.
It will go towards implementing a Silicosis Care Management Plan to be used by GPs, create a single, centralised hub to provide those affected with information, support, and expertise, and will help expand the National Safe Work Month to raise awareness.
Additionally, the funding will help establish a research forum, and develop a National Rapid Response Protocol.
