The NSW Mine Safety Advisory Council has launched a new awareness campaign to tackle the risk from dust in the workplace, called “Just because you can’t see it, doesn’t mean it is not there”.
Dust particles generated during mining can be 100 times smaller than a grain of sand and exposure to dust can lead to a range of dust-related diseases from silicosis to lung cancer.
Council Chairman George Souris AM said dust diseases like silicosis are preventable and raising awareness of the risks and how they can be prevented was an important safety initiative.
“Quarries and mines can be dusty places to work and this campaign will hopefully help workers and contractors better understand the health impacts of dust and how workers can help take steps to ensure their own personal safety as well as that of their mates,” Mr Souris said.
“Exposure to harmful dust and dust disease is preventable when appropriate safety measures are in place. This includes the mine or quarry itself but also workers making safety a number one priority through awareness and prevention.
“It can be many years or in some cases even decades before these diseases manifest themselves. So stop, think and be safe at work.”
The campaign is using a range of communication methods including a video featuring a medical doctor, quarry manager and mining Chief Inspector talking about the issue, as well as an online toolkit of easily accessible resources available here.
The NSW Mine Safety Advisory Council was established in 1998. More information about the Council can be found here.
The Council’s awareness campaign is one of a number of tools deployed to ensure workplace health and safety in NSW mines.
The NSW Resources Regulator is the mining regulator and operates stringent reporting requirements, inspections, targeted campaigns and where necessary, prosecutions and other regulatory action.
The NSW Mine Safety Advisory Council (MSAC) provides advice to the Honourable John Barilaro, Minister for Regional New South Wales, Industry and Trade, on matters relating to health and safety in the NSW mining and extractives industry. It also oversees the strategic direction of initiatives at the request of the Minister.
MSAC members include high level stakeholders representing mining employers and unions, as well as independent WHS experts.
Download a PDF version of the media release (PDF, 171.75 KB)
Interview contacts
| Organisation | Contact | Contact details |
|---|---|---|
| MSAC | Hon. George Souris AM, MSAC Chair | 02 6573 1350 M: 0427 241 528 g.souris@bigpond.com |
| Coal Services | Belinda Ward, Marketing Manager | 02 6571 9954 M: 0419 148 135 belinda.ward@coalservices.com.au |
| CFMEU | Jackie Woods, National Communications Officer | 02 9267 1035 M: 0414 241 483 jwoods@cfmeu.com.au |
| Minerals Council | Evelyn Subagio, Policy Manager | (02) 9274 1411 M: 0417 303 395 esubagio@nswmining.com.au |
| NSW Resources Regulator | Matt Sun, Manager DRNSW Media | M: 0411 853 626 regionalNSWmedia@dpc.nsw.gov.au |
