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A leading dust disease law firm has joined calls by the Australian Workers’ Union for tougher national regulations to protect workers from deadly silica dust.
Maurice Blackburn will support the Australian Workers’ Union’s (AWU) new campaign demanding the federal government impose minimum safety benchmarks and tougher penalties across industries where workers are exposed to silica.
“Workers are dying but the federal government is effectively sitting on its hands instead of moving quickly to ensure the health and safety of workers.”
Mr Walsh added that it was “not enough” for the government to focus only on engineered stone when there is evidence that other workers can be similarly exposed to “highly dangerous” levels of silica dust and develop fatal conditions.
A client of Maurice Blackburn, who is currently leading the AWU’s campaign for urgent action, is currently suffering from the consequences of the “lax” industry safety practices. The client was diagnosed last year and is hoping the campaign will bring about tougher laws so “no other worker is left in the same position”.
“All Australian workers should have what is known to be best practice when it comes to safety in their workplace. Their lives and family’s well-being shouldn’t be up for negotiation,” Mr Walsh said. “Surely, Australia can do better than that.”
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Naomi Neilson is a senior journalist with a focus on court reporting for Lawyers Weekly.
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