The Albanese Government has introduced legislation that will capture, record and share the causes of deadly occupational respiratory diseases like silicosis.
The National Occupational Respiratory Disease Registry Bill 2023 establishes a national registry for reporting of all occupational respiratory diseases, with the reporting of silicosis to be mandatory.
The national registry will aid in the detection of new and emerging threats to workers respiratory health, by monitoring trends and assisting in targeted intervention and prevention strategies.
Quotes attributable to ACTU Assistant Secretary Liam O’Brien:
Unions welcome the Albanese Government’s establishment of a registry that will assist with the early identification and monitoring of those diagnosed with silicosis and other respiratory illnesses, however, further reforms are critical if we are to eradicate this disease.
“We need a ban on engineered stone”.
“More than 600,000 workers are exposed to deadly silica dust at work in industries including mining, quarrying construction, and manufacturing. This deadly and incurable disease is entirely preventable. Engineered stone is a fashion product that is killing those who work with it. As many as 1 in 4 stonemasons working with engineered stone have been diagnosed with silicosis”.
