Tunnelling taskforce reviews silica controls and worker register

Members were briefed on the Industrial Relations and Other Legislation Amendment (Workplace Protections) Bill 2025, which proposes changes to the Work Health and Safety Act 2011. They welcomed several proposed amendments that addressed concerns raised at the taskforce’s first meeting.

Dr Deborah Yates briefed members on silicosis and silica-related diseases in NSW. Members heard that improved respiratory surveillance and greater public awareness were likely to identify many new silicosis cases. The data presented showed a sharp rise in reported cases in 2018/19, with reporting remaining at higher levels into 2024.

The briefing identified accumulated exposure to respirable crystalline silica as the greatest risk for silica-related disease among workers. Members also heard that lung function can remain normal despite silicosis being present. Data on individual workers’ exposure is therefore important for directing health screening towards high-risk groups.

The taskforce discussed identifying best-practice engineering controls, shortening workers’ exposure time and improving the collection and accessibility of measured dust-level data for health monitoring and research. Transport for NSW agreed to prepare a detailed Sydney Metro case study for the next meeting, after members identified improvements in its control measures over time. Unions and industry bodies agreed to jointly consider whether shorter or standardised shifts could reduce silica dust exposure for infrastructure tunnelling workers.

SafeWork NSW briefed members on the silica worker register. Following public consultation in late 2024, the NSW Government aims to finalise and publish the Regulation soon. The register is intended to fulfil the Government’s commitment to expand health screening for at-risk workers, reduce the impacts of silica dust exposure and prevent illness.

Discussion also covered workers throughout tunnels under construction, rather than only those at the excavation face. Members considered that workers in backend roles who may be exposed should receive education about the risk and undergo screening. They noted progress on the register’s development and explored how its data could be used more effectively.

Members endorsed a proposal to connect silica worker register data with notifications to SafeWork NSW when the workplace exposure standard for respirable crystalline silica has been exceeded. SafeWork NSW agreed to bring a proposal to the next meeting seeking endorsement of the attributes and data fields to be reported in those notifications. Health experts and research members also agreed to identify the data needed for research to support a systematic approach.

Members gave verbal progress reports on the 10-Point Action Plan agreed at the first meeting. They committed to providing written updates at the next meeting.

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