One in 10 tunnel workers at risk of silicosis, research finds

Concerns are mounting about the health implications for thousands of workers employed on the nation’s multibillion-dollar tunnelling projects after new research found more than 10 per cent of workers on three major projects would develop deadly lung disease.

The University of Sydney research, published in Annals of Work Exposures and Health this month, estimated up to 300 of 2042 workers across three major transport projects in Brisbane — the M7 Clem Jones Tunnel, Airport Link and Legacy Way — would develop silicosis because of exposures to silica dust in their lifetime.

The Herald has detailed how workers tunnelling through Sydney’s sandstone heart have been exposed to concerning levels of silica dust.

Fears of a latent public health disaster compounded last month when this masthead revealed 13 workers, including a 32-year-old, on the M6 Stage 1 tunnel had been diagnosed with the incurable lung disease since the project began in late 2021.

One in three air quality tests during construction of the Metro City and Southwest exceeded legal limits.

Research published by Curtin University in 2022 forecast up to 103,000 Australians will develop silicosis after exposure to silica dust at work. However, policy responses have focused on those working with engineered stone – now subject to widespread bans – and not other types of exposure.

The new research, authored by occupational hygienist Kate Cole, places added pressure on the NSW government to crack down on contracting companies who fail to provide tunnelling workers with adequate protection.

Overall, Cole’s research estimated 30 lung cancer cases and 200 to 300 silicosis cases would arise on the three projects.

“While projects in the state of Queensland are used as an example in this analysis, there are more workers in the tunnelling industry than are included in this study,” the paper read.

“It is therefore probable that more cases of lung cancer and silicosis will occur in Australian tunnel workers over and above these estimates.”

The highest exposures were with the operators of tunnelling machines known as road headers.

Cole found that using respiratory protective equipment (RPE) was sometimes completely absent on the three Queensland projects. While supplied to some workers, the paper concluded that it could not be assumed RPE use was uniform or effective.

“Tunnel workers rely on advanced ventilation, water systems and masks to keep the air clean, but these measures are not always effective and have not always been working properly,” Cole said.

After the Herald detailed how a comprehensive risk management plan for silica exposure shared between major tunnelling contractor John Holland and regulator SafeWork lay untouched for five years, NSW Premier Chris Minns foreshadowed stronger safety controls.

“We want to make sure that people can work on these projects, get home safely to their loved ones and work in the industry or whatever they want to do for decades into the future,” he said in March.

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