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In response to the fast rise in silicosis instances related to the fabrication and set up of synthetic stone counter tops, Australia grew to become the primary nation to ban the fabric in January 2025. Nevertheless, new Monash College analysis has discovered that the financial burden of silicosis, a progressive and infrequently deadly lung illness, amongst Victorian employees, is prone to escalate over the approaching years.
Led by Dr. Dee Tomic, from the Monash Heart for Occupational and Environmental Well being, throughout the Faculty of Public Well being and Preventive Medication at Monash College, and printed within the American Journal of Industrial Medication, the research is the primary internationally to quantify the employees’ compensation prices of silicosis. It analyzed all compensation claims for silicosis lodged in Victoria between 2019 and 2024, drawing on knowledge from WorkSafe Victoria, and projected the price of claims to 2031.
“Silicosis has re-emerged as one of the most serious occupational diseases of our time,” Dr. Tomic stated. “Our analysis shows that even with the world-first Australian ban on artificial stone, costs will continue to rise for years to come, because many workers have already been exposed and remain at risk of developing this preventable but irreversible disease.”
The research discovered:
663 silicosis-related compensation claims had been made by 356 Victorian male employees aged 15–74 years between 2019 and 2024.
Prices of silicosis-related claims totaled $111.8 million from 2019 to 2024, rising from $5.1 million in 2019 to $21.9 million in 2024.
By 2031, Monash College estimates annual compensation funds are projected to hit $29.9 million, with the best share associated to claims amongst employees aged 35–44 years.
About 30% of all prices had been frequent regulation (fault-based) claims, however for employees aged 15–24 years, these payouts made up greater than 70% of prices.
Funds for misplaced earnings comprised the biggest share of prices (35.8%), adopted by frequent regulation (fault-based) funds (30.1%); hospital prices and different medical prices (together with rehabilitation) had been comparatively small, at 0.6% and 4.5% respectively.
Dr. Tomic stated the findings carried vital classes for Australia and internationally.
“Australia is the first country in the world to ban artificial stone, but it continues to be used all around the world, with thousands of workers exposed to high levels of silica dust and at risk of developing silicosis,” she stated. “Our study shows the immense and long-term financial impact that governments, insurers, employers and health systems face when regulation lags behind science. The human and economic costs are both foreseeable and preventable.”
The authors warn that the true prices will probably be even greater, as some employees with silicosis by no means make a compensation declare, and extra prices fall on the welfare and well being techniques as soon as employees exit the compensation scheme. Moreover, as silicosis is a progressive illness in lots of instances, hospital and different medical prices are extremely prone to improve sooner or later.
“Preventing exposure to silica dust is the only way to prevent silicosis. Strong enforcement of dust control, worker health monitoring, and clinician education regarding the risk of silica exposure are urgently needed,” Dr. Tomic stated.
Extra info:
Dunya Tomic et al, Counting the Prices of Silicosis in Victoria, Australia, 2019–2024, With Projections to 2031, American Journal of Industrial Medication (2025). DOI: 10.1002/ajim.70030
Offered by
Monash College
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Examine finds silicosis compensation prices set to proceed rising in Victoria regardless of engineered stone ban (2025, October 29)
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