Thirteen Sydney tunnel workers diagnosed with silicosis

Thirteen workers, some as young as 32, have been diagnosed with silicosis while constructing Sydney's M6 tunnel. The Australian Workers' Union has called for prosecutions, citing a "health disaster" and claiming that companies failed to address known silica dust hazards since 2017. The contractor, CPB, stated that the diagnosis does not confirm the disease was contracted on their site. SafeWork NSW is investigating the cases and has warned that exposing workers to unsafe silica levels is illegal. The NSW government has expressed concern for the affected workers and emphasized a commitment to enforcing safety laws. Australia recently banned engineered stone due to its link to silicosis, marking a significant regulatory step.