Stonemasons flee industry as silicosis epidemic attracts Federal Government help

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The incurable and often fatal silicosis lung disease caused by breathing-in stone cutting dust is leading to a tradesman shortage as stonemasons exit the industry.

An incurable and often fatal lung disease caused by breathing dust containing fragments of crystalline silica

Silica in concrete, masonry, sandstone, rock, paint and other abrasives is released by cutting, drilling or blasting Three types of silicosis: chronic from at least 10 years of exposure; accelerated, from higher exposure levels and 5-10 years of exposure; acute from weeks or months of very high exposureThe business owner, who employs 30 staff at his Arundel factory, said it was also getting harder to find young people wanting to enter the trade.

"I've got seven apprentices at the moment, which I'm lucky to get, because I'm restructuring and I just can't get qualified stonemasons," he said."It was always there in the back of your mind, but it was never a reality until recently," he said."We have to be more vigilant with safety. We're taking the measures now to improve the way we do things, and the technology is changing as well.

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Nothing wrong with the product, just cowboys dry cutting and not wearing masks.

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