SafeWork rolls out new silica safety campaign

SafeWork rolls out new silica safety campaign

SafeWork NSW has launched a six-month campaign targeting silica dust exposure to protect workers from hazardous conditions on construction sites. SafeWork NSW inspectors will visit sites across the State to check compliance with workplace health and safety regulations, reinforcing safety standards that keep tradespeople free from preventable harm.

Why this safety campaign matters

Silica dust poses a serious risk to construction workers, particularly those handling engineered stone products without proper controls in place. Minister for Work Health and Safety Sophie Cotsis said the campaign will help promote safety in NSW workplaces.

"This campaign is to protect workers who may be exposed to the deadly risks of silica dust and will help ensure safer workplaces in NSW," Cotsis said.

National action on engineered stone

Beyond this compliance drive, the State Government says it will support a national prohibition on engineered stone when workplace ministers meet next week. Such a move signals growing recognition that stronger control measures are needed to curb exposure risks tied to stone products containing high silica content.

What employers should do now

Businesses operating in construction and related trades should review their current health and safety practices ahead of the inspection period. Steps worth taking include:

• Auditing dust control measures already in place on active sites
• Reviewing risk assessments tied to cutting, grinding or polishing processes
• Ensuring workers understand safety obligations under current WHS laws
• Checking that documentation aligns with SafeWork NSW expectations

Employers can strengthen their approach by reviewing safety documentation similar to guidance covered in our article on how a new SafeWork SA campaign aims to improve safety on farms, which highlights how targeted state campaigns drive better workplace outcomes.

Broader context: safety campaigns across Australia

This initiative follows a pattern seen in other states, where regulators use focused campaigns to lift compliance standards. Our coverage of how 'Stanley' features in latest SafeWork SA safety campaign shows a similar approach to raising health standards through public engagement. Likewise, our piece on how Victoria launches new forklift safety campaign demonstrates how targeted enforcement supports safer workplace practices nationwide.

Next steps for businesses

Construction firms, manufacturers and healthcare facilities managing hazardous materials should treat this campaign as a reminder to reassess exposure risk across all sites. Reviewing SWMS documentation, such as templates found under our SWMS document library, can help teams demonstrate compliance during inspections.

Visit the SafeWork NSW website for further details on inspection schedules, compliance requirements and resources supporting safer outcomes for workers exposed to silica dust.