The NSW Government’s new silicosis measures have come into effect.

The state’s Silicosis Reduction Strategy, described as “the most comprehensive series of reforms in Australia” to stamp out the deadly lung disease, took effect from July 1.

The changes include making silicosis a scheduled medical condition, enabling NSW medical practitioners to notify NSW Health of identified cases of silicosis, and provide this information to SafeWork NSW.

“Making silicosis a notifiable disease is the next step in our journey to stamp out silicosis cases in this state,” Minister for Better Regulation Kevin Anderson said.

“Once NSW Health notifies SafeWork NSW of cases, our inspectors can target their compliance and enforcement efforts based on each diagnosed individual’s current or previous workplaces and ultimately prevent further cases.”

NSW will be also one of the first states to introduce a new minimum silica workplace exposure standard of 0.05mg/m3 (eight-hour time-weighted average) to protect employees on site, a significant drop from the previous level of 0.1 mg/m3. 

“NSW is proud to be leading the way in silicosis reduction by introducing a new workplace exposure standard more than two years before the nationally agreed start date,” he said. 

Mr Anderson also announced that uncontrolled dry cutting and grinding of stone and manufactured stone is banned in NSW, and a maximum penalty of $30,000 will be issued for non-complying corporations. 

“We know dry cutting is a key cause of silica exposure, and it’s highly preventable by wet cutting or using the right dust capturing measures.”