Safe Work Australia has today launched an occupational lung disease awareness campaign which will run until December 2021.

Safe Work Australia Chief Executive Officer Michelle Baxter said the Clean Air. Clear Lungs. campaign will help raise awareness about the risk of occupational lung disease.

“Occupational lung disease continues to be a major work health and safety concern in Australia.”

“The Occupational lung diseases in Australia 2006-2019 report highlighted a substantial increase in coal workers’ pneumoconiosis, as well as silicosis from working with engineered stone.”

Occupational lung diseases are conditions of the respiratory system caused by workplace exposure to hazardous chemicals and dusts.

The national campaign seeks to educate persons conducting a business or undertaking (PCBUs), on how to eliminate and manage the risks of their workers developing an occupational lung disease.

“Not all hazards in the workplace are visible. Dusts, gases, fumes, or vapours can be invisible to the naked eye but can cause serious lung diseases”, said Ms Baxter.

“It’s incredibly important to know what hazards exist at your workplace and how to eliminate and manage them.”

The Clean Air. Clear Lungs. campaign kit is available on the website and has a suite of resources to help identify hazards and eliminate and manage risks of occupational lung disease in the workplace.

The Clean Air. Clear Lungs. campaign is supported by initiatives across Australia from Safe Work Australia Members, including work health and safety regulators.

For more information visit www.swa.gov.au/clearlungs or contact your WHS regulator.

Media contact | media@swa.gov.au