silica
News
Mine worker respiratory illness highlights need for PPE
A mobile plant operator at the Maules Creek coal mine in New South Wales has been diagnosed with a lung disease after working in the mining and non-mining sectors for more than 35 years.
February 5, 2021 0 comment
NSW commences real-time silica monitoring trial
New South Wales is trialling a technology to accurately monitor silica dust levels in the air, following the introduction of a tightened exposure standard for silica this year.
November 13, 2020 0 comment
Miners act on unacceptable dust exposures
While the focus for many has been on the reduction of dust exposure limits across Australia, experts from Australia’s leading professional association for occupational hygienists challenge the mining sector to shift its attention to the effectiveness of dust controls implemented in the workplace.
November 2, 2020 0 comment
Newcrest combats mental health with Thinking Well program
Newcrest Mining has introduced a program called Thinking Well to address mental health and the challenges COVID-19’s had on its employees.
October 6, 2020 0 comment
NSW cracks down on dust exposure in mines and quarries
The NSW Mine Safety Advisory Council is hoping to eradicate the threat of dust for mine and quarry workers, as well as workers in other workplace environments, through a new awareness campaign.
July 3, 2020 0 comment
NSW applies exemption to new silica exposure standard
Several New South Wales mines and petroleum sites are ruled out of the new respirable crystalline silica exposure standard due to a class exemption by Safe Work.
January 6, 2020 0 comment
Safe Work alters workplace limit to silica exposure
Work health and safety ministers have agreed to reduce the workplace exposure standards for respirable crystalline silica as soon as practicable.
December 16, 2019 0 comment
Coal mine workers to undertake dust health checks
The New South Wales Resources Regulator is urging current and former coal mine workers to maintain regular health screening after investigating a former coal mine worker diagnosed with a mixed dust disease in 2017.
May 27, 2019 0 comment
Safe Work to halve exposure limits for respirable dust
Safe Work Australia is expected to recommend that the regulated occupational exposure limits for respirable dust be slashed.
May 13, 2019 0 comment
Protecting workers from respirable dust in machinery cabins and control rooms
Dust particles may be small, but they can cause big problems for the health and safety of workers at mines, quarries, landfills, ports, and in construction and demolition. Engineering controls and education are needed to make sure workers stay safe.
April 30, 2019 0 comment
New taskforce to tackle biggest crisis since asbestosis
The Morrison Government is set to invest $5 million in response to the increasing cases of accelerated silicosis ahead of the federal election.
April 30, 2019 0 comment
Decline in miners’ lung function could indicate disease
Miners suffer from an increased decline in lung function every year compared to the general population, despite measured concentrates of dust and gases such as silica and diesel exhaust at below occupational standards.
April 1, 2019 0 comment
The fight against black lung and all occupational lung disease
There’s a way to avoid being harmed by mine dust including crystalline silica on the east coast and asbestos fibres on the west coast. Breathesafe director Nicholas Johnstone tells Safe to Work about the solution.
January 21, 2019 0 comment
Queensland coal mines show significant reduction in dust levels
Significant reductions in respirable dust levels have been recorded in Queensland’s coal mining industry, according to the Department of Natural Resources, Mines and Energy (DNRME).
September 10, 2018 0 comment