Be Silica Smart when working with silica
Safe Work Australia's 'Be Silica Smart' campaign highlights workplace silica dust exposure risks for construction and trades workers. Silica dust causes serious lung disease and is a major hazard on worksites.
What do tradies need to know about silica dust safety rules on the worksite?
Builders, tilers, stonemasons and concreters face daily silica exposure. Non-compliance with silica controls can lead to fines, shutdowns or health liability.
Key takeaways
- Safe Work Australia is running a 'Be Silica Smart' campaign targeting construction and trades workers.
- Silica dust exposure is a serious health risk that can cause irreversible lung disease.
- Trades workers cutting, grinding or drilling stone, concrete or brick face the highest exposure risk.
- Employers and workers must follow silica dust control measures to stay legally compliant.
Related
Consultation Draft National Silica-Related Diseases Research Strategy
The Housing Industry Association (HIA) has submitted a response to the Consultation Draft National Silica-Related Diseases Research Strategy. The article gives no detail on what the response says or what the draft strategy proposes.
Why it matters: Silica dust affects builders, carpenters and others who cut or grind concrete, bricks and engineered stone. Any national research strategy could eventually shape workplace safety rules and site practices.
Safe Work Australia calls for national action to prevent workplace fatalities and manage emerging workplace risks
Safe Work Australia has published the final report of its Best Practice Review of the model Work Health and Safety laws. It calls for national action to prevent workplace fatalities and manage emerging workplace risks.
Why it matters: All trades, including builders, electricians and plumbers, work under the model WHS laws. Any changes from the review could alter safety duties, compliance paperwork and site practices, though details aren't yet given.
Looking to the future in week 3 of National Safe Work Month
This is a brief news update on Week 3 of National Safe Work Month 2026. The article content provided contains no further detail on the week's theme, events or any announcements.
Why it matters: National Safe Work Month is relevant to all trades, including builders, electricians and plumbers, as it promotes workplace safety. The provided content has no detail, so there is no specific day-to-day impact to report.