By rosebell
In order to ensuring workers are being protected from silica dust exposure, the New South Wales government is auditing major tunneling projects in Sydney and across the state.
Including the Sydney Metro West, Western Harbour Tunnel, Coffs Harbour Bypass and Snowy 2.0, SafeWork NSW’s specialist silica compliance team is auditing the silica management systems of contractors delivering six construction projects involving tunnels.
Inspections to scrutinise the systems that monitor air quality and preventing silica exposure for workers are the contents of the silica management audit, that also involves engineering controls, water suppression, ventilation and extraction systems to remove dust, and work, health and safety policies and procedures.
The determined deadline for audits is the end of June.
The permision of issuing improvement and prohibition notices where there is non-compliance is allowed by SafeWork NSW under the Work Health and Safety Act.
Additionally, where the evidence supports a breach to the criminal standard full investigation may take place which could lead to prosecution and if a shutdown in production occurs because of compliance failures, contractors will be required to foot the bill.
With the aim of ensuring that appropriate measures are in place for all work health and safety risks, these audits complement SafeWork NSW’s increased number of compliance inspections in tunnels since 2024.
For providing safe workplaces for workers, including managing exposure to silica dust, infrastructure projects have a legal obligation with infrastructure project plans set out and agreed at the contract stage.
Also a dedicated Tunneling Dust Safety Taskforce of medical was announced by the NSW government aunion and industry leaders in February to help address silica related health risks for tunneling projects.
Considering that guiding the work of the taskforce was important, four broad areas have been identified and they are better use of data with more transparent access; improved health monitoring; best practice work health and safety controls; and enhanced compliance.
According to SafeWork NSW acting deputy secretary Trent Curtin: “SafeWork NSW had an active presence in tunneling projects across NSW including audits of silica management systems and proactive compliance visits to reduce exposure to silica risks and improve worker health and safety.Dangerous exposure to respirable crystalline silica for workers is preventable with the right management systems in place and SafeWork NSW is committed to ensuring tunneling contractors are complying with safety standards.”
He also added: “SafeWork NSW will not tolerate endangering worker lives through exposure to deadly silica dust and we are committed to undertaking these audits and inspections and enforcing compliance with work health and safety laws.”
