Workers in the construction, mining, and quarrying industries are increasingly being diagnosed with progressive and permanent lung conditions from working with or near materials that create breathable dust.

It can be hard to identify the symptoms of silicosis and other dust diseases, which often leads to late diagnoses and worse health outcomes for affected workers. The good news is that exposure to silica and other dusts at work can be prevented.

The Tasmanian Government is working to strengthen work health and safety laws and provide support for the National Dust Disease Taskforce initiatives.