Asbestos and Dust Diseases

Overview

Asbestos and Dust Diseases

Asbestos

Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral which is made up of fine, durable fibres which are resistant to heat, fire and many chemicals. Asbestos was used for many different purposes including building materials, fire proof vests and in-home or commercial construction.

Asbestosis

Asbestosis is a dust disease. It is a chronic disease characterised by scarring of the lungs which can lead to long-term breathing complications. Asbestosis is exclusively caused by the exposure to asbestos. Unfortunately, asbestosis is usually not diagnosed for many years, if not decades, after the exposure has occurred.

Many cases of asbestosis can be linked to a consistent exposure to asbestos containing materials which exist in construction sites, on ships or in industrial facilities.

Industries and occupations at high risk of Asbestosis include:

1. Construction Industry

• Demolition Workers: Exposure occurs during the demolition of old buildings containing asbestos materials.

• Carpenters and Renovation Workers: Those involved in remodelling older structures may encounter asbestos insulation, tiles, and other materials.

• Insulators and Roofers: Handle asbestos containing material or work with concrete tiles during instillation, maintenance, and repair activities.

• Plumbers and Electricians: Often work in areas with asbestos insulation around pipes and wiring.

2. Shipbuilding and Repair

• Shipyard Workers: Historically used asbestos for fireproofing and insulation in ships. Maintenance and repair work on older vessels can expose workers to asbestos.

3. Manufacturing

• Automotive Workers: Particularly those involved in brake and clutch repair where asbestos was used in past manufacturing.

• Boilermakers: Boiler instillation and repair often used asbestos.

• Textile Workers: Handling of asbestos-containing fabrics and materials.

4. Asbestos Mining and Milling

• Miners and Millers: Direct exposure during the extraction and processing of asbestos ores.

Symptoms of Asbestosis include:

• Shortness of breath that gradually worsens over time.

• A persistent, dry cough.

• Chest tightness or chest pain.

• Weight loss from a loss of appetite.

• A dry, crackling sound in the lungs when inhaling.

• Clubbing of fingertips and toes (wideness and roundness beyond the norm).

Diagnosing asbestosis can be difficult. A history of asbestos exposure will be obtained and confirmed by lung function studies and high-resolution CT scanning. There are many treatments available to sufferers of asbestosis to slow the progression of the disease and to improve a patient’s quality of life once diagnosed. However, asbestosis is irreversible and there is no cure. Common treatment for asbestosis will include breathing treatments, pulmonary rehabilitation, medication and in more severe and rare cases, surgical lung transplantation. If you have been diagnosed with asbestosis or suspect that you suffer from this disease, it is recommended that you seek legal counsel to enquire about what compensation you may be entitled to. This can include those who are suffering from asbestosis following exposure to asbestos either over the course of their employment or in any other circumstances. Brydens Lawyers are experts in the prosecution of personal injury and worker's compensation claims. We can assist with the prosecution of claims through the Dust Diseases Tribunal or making a claim for benefits under a Superannuation/Total and Permanent Disability Policy.

Enquire with us today and call 1800 848 848 or submit a form to investigate what compensation and benefits you may be entitled to.

Crystalline Silica

We have all heard of claims brought by workers who have suffered significantly as a result of the exposure to toxic or hazardous chemicals such as asbestos which can lead to the contraction of asbestosis and/or mesothelioma. Many of us, however, may not be aware that Crystalline Silica, can be just as hazardous to one’s health. This substance is found in most rocks, sand and clay, as well as in products such as bricks, concrete, tile and composite stone.

A worker can be exposed to Crystalline Silica during tunnelling through or excavating quartz that contains rocks such as shale or sandstone. Exceptionally fine particles of Crystalline Silica created are then inhaled and can cause lung inflammation and scarring. The airborne dust is likely to occur when the materials are either cut, sanded or drilled. Alternatively there can be exposure through dry sweeping or the use of compressed air to move the material. Depending on how much dust a worker breathes in and for how long, they will be exposed to a real risk of contracting Silicosis which is a scarring of the lungs, resulting in loss of lung function.

High risk industries and occupations for Silicosis include:

1. Construction and Demolition

• Masonry Workers: Cutting, grinding, and drilling of concrete and brick can release silica dust.

• Sandblasters: High exposure from blasting surfaces clean, which involves sand containing silica.

• Demolition Workers: Exposure during the demolition of buildings containing materials with silica.

2. Mining and Quarrying

• Miners: Drilling and blasting operations in mines release silica dust.

• Quarry Workers: Involved in the extraction and processing of stone and aggregates.

3. Tunnel Workers

• Drilling and Blasting: Creating tunnels in rock involves exposure to silica dust.

4. Manufacturing

• Foundry Workers: Exposed during the casting process involving sand moulds.

• Ceramic and Glass Manufacturing: Handling raw materials that contain silica.

5. Oil and Gas Extraction

• Hydraulic Fracturing (Fracking) Workers: Inhalation of silica dust from sand used in the fracking process.

6. Agriculture

• Farm Workers: Exposure to dust in soil that may contain silica particles.

The symptoms of silicosis range from mild coughs, sputum, and shortness of breath to fatigue, fever, night sweats, leg swelling and more. The longer silicosis lasts without treatment, the worse the symptoms can become, and patients may be particularly vulnerable to developing additional complications as a result.

Employers are required to provide health monitoring to workers if there is a significant risk to the worker’s health because of exposure to Crystalline Silica. Where the risk to health and safety cannot be eliminated there are a number of controls that the employer must apply to minimise the risk. Such controls would include:

• Using local exhaust ventilation systems to remove dust at the source.

• Isolate areas of the workplace where dust is generated by other workers.

• Ensure regular housekeeping in dusty work areas to prevent the accumulation of dust