Task force to tackle deadly dust diseases

A concerning trend of Australian workers contracting the lung disease silicosis has prompted the federal government to establish a task force aimed at preventing dust diseases.

Medical professionals, industry figures, researchers and government officials will make up the National Dust Diseases Task Force, with the Morrison government stumping up $5 million for the group.

The task force comes after Health Minister Greg Hunt says there has been a spate of new cases of accelerated silicosis, a lung disease workers can pick up from being exposed to silica dust.

Recent cases have been linked to the production and installation of artificial stone bench tops, particularly in Queensland.

In the northern state alone, more than 100 stonemasons have been diagnosed with the condition in the past six months, one of whom died in March.

The new task force will develop a national approach for preventing dust diseases, ensuring they are identified early when they do occur, and that effective treatment is available.

It will also commission new research to improve the understanding of the occupational conditions.

The group will report to state and federal health ministers.