The Minns Labor Government is putting tunnelling companies across NSW on notice by auditing major projects in Sydney and across the state to ensure they are keeping their workers safe from silica dust exposure.
SafeWork NSW's specialist silica compliance team is auditing the silica management systems of contractors delivering six construction projects involving tunnels including the Sydney Metro West, Western Harbour Tunnel, Coffs Harbour Bypass and Snowy 2.0.
The silica management audit involves inspections to scrutinise the systems that monitor air quality and prevent silica exposure for workers. This includes engineering controls, water suppression, ventilation and extraction systems to remove dust, and work, health and safety (WHS) policies and procedures.
Audits will continue until the end of June this year.
Under the Work Health and Safety Act, SafeWork NSW can issue improvement and prohibition notices where there is non-compliance.
A full investigation may also take place which could lead to prosecution where the evidence supports a breach to the criminal standard.
In instances where a shutdown in production occurs due to compliance failures, contractors will be required to foot the bill.
These audits complement SafeWork NSW's increased number of compliance inspections in tunnels since 2024 to ensure appropriate measures are in place for all work health and safety risks.
Infrastructure projects have a legal obligation to provide safe workplaces for workers, including managing exposure to silica dust, with infrastructure project plans set out and agreed at the contract stage.
The NSW Government also announced a dedicated Tunnelling Dust Safety Taskforce in February 2025 to help address silica related health risks for tunnelling projects. The taskforce recently met bringing together medical, union and industry leaders to work towards action to address the risk of exposure to respirable crystalline silica in tunnelling.
Four broad areas of action have been identified to help focus and guide the work of the Taskforce including:
- Better use of data with more transparent access
- Improved health monitoring
- Best practice Work Health and Safety controls
- Enhanced compliance
The Minns Labor Government led the campaign for the national ban on the manufacture, supply, processing and installation of engineered stone benchtops, panels and slabs containing at least 1% silica.
The NSW Government is funding a team of dedicated silica safety inspectors to ensure businesses are complying with the strengthened laws.
The moves aim to safeguard workers from silicosis, a lung disease caused by respirable crystalline silica, which tragically has led to several deaths.
The Minns Labor government has pledged $5 million in critical funding for silicosis research and a patient support program.
In addition, the icare Lung mobile lung clinic provides specialised lung health assessments to current and retired workers who are at risk of developing a workplace dust disease, such as mesothelioma, asbestosis or silicosis.
Anyone can also anonymously report an incident at a workplace by calling 13 10 50 or visiting the Speak up Saves Lives website.
Minister for Work Health and Safety Sophie Cotsis said:
"The Minns Labor Government is protecting workers from the dangers of silica dust.
"These audits of major tunnelling projects around the state are of paramount importance to ensure workers are being protected against dangerous exposure to silica dust.
"Every worker has the right to go to work and return home safely to their loved ones at the end of the day."
SafeWork NSW Acting Deputy Secretary Trent Curtin said:
"SafeWork NSW has an active presence in tunnelling 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 tunnelling contractors are complying with safety standards.
"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."
