South West Sydney has a high concentration of construction, manufacturing, and industrial workers — and with that comes an elevated risk of occupational lung disease. At Southwest Pulmonary & Sleep Centre (SWCPC) in Oran Park, our Chest Specialists and Respiratory Specialists have extensive experience diagnosing and managing work-related lung conditions, including the increasingly prevalent silicosis epidemic affecting stonemason and construction workers across NSW.
What Is Occupational Lung Disease?
Occupational lung disease is any condition caused or worsened by exposure to dusts, fumes, gases, or chemicals in the workplace. It is one of the most common — and most preventable — causes of chronic lung disease in Australia.
Types of Occupational Lung Disease We Manage
- Silicosis — caused by inhaling crystalline silica dust from engineered stone benchtops, sandstone, concrete, and tunnelling. Now epidemic in NSW stonemasons. Can be rapidly progressive and fatal.
- Asbestosis — caused by asbestos fibre inhalation. Common in tradespeople who worked with asbestos-containing materials before 2003. Causes progressive lung fibrosis.
- Mesothelioma workup — for patients with asbestos exposure and pleural thickening or effusion
- Coal workers’ pneumoconiosis (Black Lung) — re-emerging in Australian coal miners
- Hypersensitivity Pneumonitis — immune reaction to inhaled organic dusts, moulds, or bird proteins in workplaces
- Occupational Asthma — asthma triggered or worsened by workplace exposures including isocyanates, flour, latex, and chemical fumes
- Chemical and fume-induced lung injury
Silicosis — An Urgent Public Health Issue in NSW
Silicosis from engineered stone (used in kitchen benchtop fabrication) has emerged as a critical occupational health crisis in NSW. Workers who cut, grind, or polish engineered stone without adequate respiratory protection develop accelerated or acute silicosis — which can progress to severe lung failure within years. SafeWork NSW and NSW Health are actively monitoring this issue.
If you or a worker you know has worked with engineered stone and is experiencing breathlessness or cough, urgent assessment by a Chest Specialist is essential — even if symptoms seem mild. Early silicosis on CT scan may still be present without symptoms.
Workers’ Compensation and Occupational Lung Disease
Occupational lung diseases in NSW are notifiable conditions, and affected workers may be entitled to workers’ compensation through iCare (formerly WorkCover NSW). Our Chest Specialists at SWCPC can provide specialist reports and documentation to support your compensation claim. Please mention this when booking your appointment.
See a Chest Specialist for Occupational Lung Disease in Oran Park
Our Chest Specialists and Respiratory Doctors at SWCPC serve patients from Oran Park, Camden, Narellan, Campbelltown, Gregory Hills, Harrington Park, Mount Annan, Liverpool, and Leppington. A GP referral is required. Workers’ compensation referrals are also accepted.
Address: Level 2, Suite 2.12, TRN House, 90 Podium Way, Oran Park NSW 2570
Phone: (02) 4607 5010
Hours: Monday – Friday, 8:30am – 4:30pm
