SWMS Generator

NSW Government Acts on Deadly Dust Diseases: What Construction Businesses Must Know

Posted on: 2 July 2025

The NSW Minns Labor Government is taking decisive action to protect workers from deadly dust-related illnesses like silicosis. Following recommendations to overhaul the Dust Diseases Scheme, several key reforms have been welcomed and are already taking effect—particularly for workers in construction, tunnelling, and mining.

Key reforms to support workers

Actions already underway

Why this matters for your construction site

If you’re working with concrete, bricks, tiles, or any material that generates crystalline silica dust, you’re legally required to implement safe work procedures. That includes maintaining a current, task-specific Safe Work Method Statement (SWMS) for any high-risk work involving airborne contaminants.

Failing to document these controls could expose your business to serious compliance breaches—especially now with tougher inspections by SafeWork NSW.

Get compliant with SWMS Generator

At SWMS Generator, we make it simple to:

Protect your workers and your business—don’t risk a fine or worse.