Dust and heat: the deadly duo for workers in hot environments

Workers who are exposed to dust and heat in their occupations face serious health risks, such as silicosis, blood poisoning and gut damage. New regulations and research are being implemented to prevent and reduce these hazards.

Silica dust: a major threat for workers

Silica dust can cause silicosis, an incurable and aggressive lung disease. Workers who process engineered stone products, which contain high levels of silica, are at risk of inhaling this dust. According to the Australian Council of Trade Unions (ACTU), one in four stonemasons who work with engineered stone products in Australia have contracted silicosis.

South Australia will outlaw the uncontrolled processing of engineered stone products from 1 September 2023. SafeWork SA will enforce the new regulations, which will align SA with recent changes by SafeWork Australia to model existing work health and safety laws. The regulations will require workers who cut, grind, trim, sand or drill engineered stone products to use specific control measures, such as respiratory protective equipment and dust control systems. The regulations will also impose penalties of up to $6,000 for an individual or $30,000 for a body corporate, in addition to existing criminal offences under the WHS Act

Minister for Industrial Relations and Public Sector Kyam Maher said silicosis was a rapidly growing problem across Australia. He said the new regulations were an immediate step to protect the health and safety of workers, ahead of the national meeting of WHS Ministers later this year. The meeting will consider further regulatory action on engineered stone, including a potential import ban and new regulations to manage high risk crystalline silica processes.

The ACTU is calling for a full ban on all engineered stone, irrespective of silica content, as there are many safe alternatives. The ACTU also cited a new US study that estimated that 100,000 workers in the U.S. are potentially at risk of silicosis due to exposure to silica dust.

Heat stress: another health risk for workers

Heat stress can cause exercise-induced gastrointestinal syndrome (EIGS), which can lead to gut damage and blood poisoning. EIGS can cause nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea and possibly a full-body inflammatory response, or even death if left untreated.

A new study by Monash University has identified the point at which workers could face potentially serious EIGS, and the corresponding degree of seriousness. The study found that a rise in core body temperature to 39°C, from two hours of exercise in hot conditions, can predict the onset of gut damage and the movement of pathogens from the gut into the bloodstream, as part of EIGS.

The study involved endurance-trained athletes who ran for two hours in 21.2–30.0°C and 35.0–37.2°C heat. They took blood samples and temperatures at various points. Lead author Kayla Henningsen, a Dietitian and Exercise Gastroenterology PhD candidate at Monash University, said EIGS could occur either during sports activities or due to physical work.

She said physically demanding fields, such as the mining industry, military, agriculture and firefighting services, were known for not only the exertional activity required to fulfil the role of the occupation, but also for the potential of heat exposure. These fields could also involve exposure to silica dust, potentially creating a deadly duo for workers.

Henningsen and her team are now assessing nutrition strategies to maintain blood flow around the gut during exertional-heat stress, to help prevent gut damage. She said findings from this research would not only help athletes’ performance and keep them safe, but would build upon occupational health, safety and environment practices within workplace settings. Their focus aim is to prevent adverse health outcomes to individuals who are exposed to prolonged exertional-heat stress.

Sources

New rules to target engineered stone by SafeWork SA, August 1st, 2023.
New US study shows further evidence of the fatal impact of engineered stone by ACTU, July 27th, 2023
Working in heat could damage the gut: study by Monash University, August 10th, 2023

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