National clinical guidance for silica dust exposure monitoring has changed. Regulatory updates are likely. We can help you support your employees and your business better.
MAX Health’s respirable crystalline silica health monitoring program may be used for both pre-employment assessments and ongoing health surveillance. We’re here to support your company’s needs and meet the standards of your industry through the changes happening now.
In line with the latest national clinical guidance for workers exposed to respirable crystalline silica dust, we recommend annual spirometry and low-dose high resolution CT scanning where appropriate.
Using chest X-rays to detect indications of silicosis at an early stage has been shown to be effective in about 76% of cases. Practically this still means that detection could be missed in 1 in every 4 cases.
The good news is that updated national clinical guidance recognises that low-dose high resolution CT scans are more sensitive than chest X-rays for the early detection of silicosis and other silica-related lung diseases, supporting earlier intervention and improved health outcomes.
CT scans are generally required once every 3-5 years for this purpose – less frequently than chest X-rays – and can provide a cost saving for effective testing over time.
Acting now can deliver a real benefit to your business, and set you on the right track for the longer term.
Benefits at a glance:
With flexible onsite and clinic-based delivery options, supported by our national network and medical advisory team, MAX Health provides a clinically robust and practical solution for managing crystalline silica health surveillance.
With 6,500+ practitioners in 2,500+ locations across Australia, we can coordinate appointments at your workplace, near your workplace or near an employee’s home, saving time and hassle for all concerned.
Thanks to the high volume of referrals coordinated onsite, we can assess your work site faster than our clinic network.
Health surveillance or monitoring of employees is a regulatory requirement for employers in situations where an employee may be exposed to certain hazardous substances in the course of performing their required duties.
What is required is periodic monitoring of employees to determine whether working these substances or performing high-risk activities is having a negative effect on their health.
This can involve medical examination, medical imaging, pathology and other types of testing (such as audiometry or spirometry), or a combination of these depending on the type of hazard/s involved.
MAX Health offers an end-to-end health monitoring medical services for every Australian jurisdiction to assist your organisation to manage the potential health effects for your workers and your compliance requirements.
Our extensive national coverage across more than 2,500 locations means that we have a clinic across all metropolitan and regional locations in Australia.
We also deliver services in New Zealand and the UK.
