Silica dust: Policy priorities 

Implement and enforce a health-based workplace exposure standard of 0.02 mg/m³ time weighted average (TWA) for respirable crystalline silica (RCS) across all industries and jurisdictions

A workplace exposure standard (WES)* for RCS of 0.02 mg/m³ TWA should be adopted in every Australian jurisdiction and enforced via a rigorous workplace inspection program. Implementing and enforcing this WES would demonstrate Australia’s commitment to protecting workers, reducing their risk of developing silica-related diseases, and set a benchmark of best practice globally. The current WES of 0.05 mg/m³ cannot be considered a health-based standard given the available evidence. An exposure standard of 0.02 mg/m³ has been identified as the level at which the risk of lung cancer would be reduced to an acceptably low level (defined by SafeWork Australia as less than a risk of 1 in 1000 people)^{1, 2} Ensuring workplace RCS exposure is kept below a WES of 0.02 mg/m³ would help reduce the many lung cancers that occur each year due to exposure to RCS at work.³ It is essential that the WES for RCS is consistently applied across all industries and jurisdictions. A WES of 0.02 mg/m³ would place Australia among the most stringent jurisdictions globally, aligning closely with British Columbia, Mexico, and Portugal (0.025 mg/m³),^{4, 5} and significantly below the limits in the U.S. (0.05 mg/m³) and U.K. (0.1 mg/m³).⁶

Whilst a limit of 0.02mg/m³ of RCS exposure will improve the protection of Australians from RCS, there is currently no evidence that identifies a safe level of exposure. As new evidence becomes available, reviews of the WES for RCS should routinely occur to inform workplaces on exposure levels that will protect their workers.

Improve the enforcement of, and compliance with, crystalline silica substances regulations across each jurisdiction

All states and territories have prohibited the uncontrolled dry processing of crystalline silica substances (CSS); however, it is crucial this is implemented and enforced nationally. Wet processing methods combined with well-designed local exhaust ventilation are vital controls for reducing RCS exposure.⁷ In a working population of 18.7 million Australians, using wet cutting methods during concrete cutting and grinding was estimated to potentially prevent 6% of the lung cancer cases caused over their lifetime due to occupational exposure to RCS.⁸ Work Health and Safety (WHS) regulations require those working with CSS to undertake nationally accredited training, or training approved by the WHS regulator, on the health risks associated with RCS exposure, and the control measures required by WHS laws.⁷ Whilst the use and processing of engineered stone was banned in 2024, many other commonly used materials contain silica; these materials include sandstone, asphalt, and cement.⁹ Therefore, considerable risk of significant RCS exposure among Australian workers remains. Commonwealth, state, and territory regulators should undertake routine inspections and audits of workplaces where CSS are used to ensure WHS laws are being consistently implemented and promote appropriate attitudinal and behavioural change in the industry.

Establish minimum national health surveillance standards, including the use of low-dose, high-resolution CT scans as appropriate, for workers at risk of RCS exposure

Under current WHS regulations, health surveillance (or monitoring) is required where there is a high-risk to the health of workers from RCS exposure.⁷ High-risk is defined by the processing of a CSS that is reasonably likely to risk the health of a person or workplace.¹⁰ Health surveillance is critical as it is used to detect early changes in a worker’s health, leading to earlier intervention and preventing further RCS exposure.¹¹ Whilst there is national guidance for doctors assessing workers exposed to respirable crystalline silica dust,¹² the requirements for surveillance are not nationally consistent.⁷ The Silica National Strategic Plan 2024–30 and National Dust Disease Taskforce have proposed the development of a National Early Detection and Rapid Response Protocol, that will aim to improve the earlier identification of known and emerging workplace risks of occupational lung disease.^13,14 Research has identified that establishing minimum national screening standards is a key priority for silica research in Australia across many stakeholders.¹⁵

Emerging evidence has found low-dose high-resolution CT scans are more effective than chest X-rays in detecting early lung changes, such as silicosis.^16-18 The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Radiologists (RANZCR) strongly recommends CT of the chest as the primary imaging modality to be used for screening workers.¹⁹ Currently, Western Australia is the only state or territory that requires low-dose high-resolution CT scans for health surveillance, with all other states and territories requiring only X-rays.⁷ Given the long latency between exposure to RCS and the onset of lung cancer, health surveillance plays a critical role in the early detection of adverse health effects in exposed workers, enabling timely intervention, as lung cancer prevention outcomes become evident much later. Cancer Council recommends nationally consistent requirements for health surveillance of workers using CSS, including low-dose high-resolution CT scans where appropriate.

Improve the quality of Australian data and expand the evidence base for respirable crystalline silica exposure, detection, and management of exposure, and silica-related diseases

High quality data and research on RCS and its health impacts is vital to providing the evidence base for improving policies and practice to prevent exposure and improve outcomes for associated cancers in Australia. There are significant gaps in the current Australian literature on the nature and extent of exposure to carcinogens, including RCS, in workplaces, and their impact on cancer occurrence.²⁰ This is a barrier to developing effective policies and WHS regulations that will best protect the health of Australian workers. One study found that the research priorities for silica across key stakeholders in Australia were; the optimisation of the hierarchy of controls, compliance and regulation, establishing minimum standards and innovative screening methods, early diagnosis, effective treatments, identification of biomarkers, developing an optimal care model, and estimating the economic impact of silicosis.¹⁵

The implementation of the National Occupational Respiratory Disease Registry in 2024 was an important step toward improving nationally available data on occupational respiratory diseases. However, silicosis and silica-related disease are the only mandated conditions, with lung cancers being optional to report, impacting the utility of this registry in measuring silica-related lung cancer cases. Ongoing research will be essential to develop a sufficient evidence base to underpin effective policies and regulations. Routine systematic collection of data on RCS surveillance, and the implementation and effectiveness of workplace controls and regulations, will be essential for improving outcomes. Cancer Council Australia strongly encourages the Research Translation theme of the National Medical Research Future Fund to provide funding for research on preventive measures, including assessing the effectiveness of prevention and control measures in protecting workers from silica dust exposure in the workplace.

*From December 2026, Australia will transition to the Workplace Exposure Limits for Airborne Contaminants (WEL List).²¹ Following this, all WES will be referred to as workplace exposure limits (WEL).