Taskforce seeks to stamp out silicosis

With the rate of silicosis increasing among workers, the federal government has committed $5 million to establish a new taskforce to tackle the problem.

In addition to the taskforce, this funding would also assist in creating a national dust diseases register and facilitating more research in how to prevent and treat these types of diseases.

Figures from the Royal Australasian College of Physicians (RACP) and Thoracic Society of Australia and New Zealand (TSANZ) show that over 100 Queensland stonemasons alone have recently been diagnosed with silicosis.

“While 100 stonemasons have already been diagnosed in Queensland, there is likely to be several hundred, and possibly more than a thousand, affected workers across Australia. Most remain undiagnosed,” said occupational physician and RACP fellow Graeme Edwards.

“If there is a coordinated national response we have a chance of making a real difference for these workers.”

Once established, the government has stated that the taskforce will include the medical community, industry, researchers and government, and be chaired by a leading medical expert.

It will commence in July 2019 and provide a final report by 31 December 2020.

“While some jurisdictions are putting measures in place, what we really require is national leadership on the issue and a coordinated collaborative response to avoid unnecessary duplication and inconsistencies between jurisdictions,” said TSANZ spokesperson Ryan Hoy.

Silicosis is caused by exposure to silica dust and is a preventable lung disease. A significant number of workers have been diagnosed with a rapidly progressive form of this disease, progressive massive fibrosis (PMF), according to the RACP.

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