The New South Wales government is auditing major tunnelling projects in Sydney and across the state to ensure workers are being protected 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 policies and procedures.
Audits will continue until the end of June.
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.
If a shutdown in production occurs because of 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.
Exposure to silica dust can cause the lung disease silicosis, which can be fatal.
In February, the NSW government also announced a dedicated Tunnelling Dust Safety Taskforce of medical, union and industry leaders to help address silica related health risks for tunnelling projects.
Four broad areas have been identified to help guide the work of the taskforce. They are better use of data with more transparent access; improved health monitoring; best practice work health and safety controls; and enhanced compliance.
SafeWork NSW acting deputy secretary Trent Curtin said SafeWork NSW had 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,” he said.
“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.”
