SWA Launches Campaign to Tackle Lung Disease

Safe Work Australia (SWA) has launched an occupational lung disease awareness campaign, warning employers that dusts, gases, and other work-related substances can cause severe lung conditions – even when invisible to the naked eye.

The campaign, Clean Air. Clear Lungs, will run until December 2021 and aims to raise awareness about the risk of occupational lung disease.

SWA Chief Executive Officer Michelle Baxter said occupational lung disease continues to be a “major work health and safety concern in Australia.”

“The Occupational lung diseases in Australia 2006-2019 report highlighted a substantial increase in coal workers’ pneumoconiosis, as well as silicosis from working with engineered stone.”

Occupational lung diseases are conditions of the respiratory system caused by workplace exposure to hazardous chemicals and dusts.

The national campaign seeks to educate PCBUs on how to eliminate and manage the risks of their workers developing an occupational lung disease.

“Not all hazards in the workplace are visible. Dusts, gases, fumes, or vapours can be invisible to the naked eye but can cause serious lung diseases”, said Ms Baxter.

“It’s incredibly important to know what hazards exist at your workplace and how to eliminate and manage them.”

The SWA campaign comes as Cancer Council Australia chief executive officer Tanya Buchanan warned that 600,000 Australians are exposed to silica dust in the workplace.

Buchanan is calling on employers dealing with silica dust to substitute products containing high levels of silica for less hazardous materials.

She is also urging employers to ensure effective personal protective equipment is worn, and wants the government to drop the mandated exposure limit.

“Occupational cancers are preventable. That’s why we’re urging the Australian Government to introduce a national mandatory limit for silica dust exposure in Australia which would restrict exposure to just 0.02 milligrams per cubic metre over an eight-hour period.”

The Clean Air. Clear Lungs campaign kit is available on the website and includes a suite of key resources. For more information visit www.swa.gov.au/clearlungs