The Scanning Changes
The McGowan Government has made important changes to the Occupational Safety and Health Regulations 1996 that will increase protections for workers exposed to respirable crystalline silica in engineered stone product manufacturing, installation, stonemasonry and construction work.
WA is the first Australian State to require these more effective scans.
A low-dose high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT) scan, supervised by an appointed medical practitioner, instead of the previously required chest X-ray is now mandatory for workers whose health is at risk of exposure to respirable crystalline silica.
HRCT scans are superior to chest X-rays and will assist in the early detection of silicosis.
Silicosis is a serious and potentially lethal occupational lung disease caused by exposure to respirable crystalline silica in the abovementioned industries.
The amendment will assist in the early detection of silicosis and follows the McGowan Government’s recent decision to halve the workplace exposure standard for respirable crystalline silica to further protect workers.
