Australian Workers’ Union fears Brisbane tunnel workers could end up with lung cancer

A major union has hit out at the state government for denying the use of air monitoring devices in Brisbane tunnels, as a report highlighting the dangers of developing chronic lung diseases was released.

Inside the Legacy Way Tunnel. Picture: Mark Calleja

Potentially thousands of Queensland tunnel workers are being denied air monitoring devices despite fears they could develop chronic lung disease, a major union has claimed.

The Australian Workers’ Union has hit out at the state government after it rolled back the union’s rights to use real-time air monitoring devices late last year.

It comes after a University of Sydney report claimed between 200 to 300 hundred tunnel workers were likely to develop silicosis, which could lead to lung cancer.

The union’s assistant national secretary Chris Donovan slammed the state government for removing the ability to use air monitoring devices that can check on-site dust levels.

Mr Donovan said the findings of the report could have “devastating” consequences.

“The AWU pushed to change legislation in 2023 to allow us to bring air monitoring devices to check the dust levels on site which our members achieved in 2024,” Mr Donovan said. “However, no sooner was it law than the new LNP Queensland government removed the ability of union officials to use these air monitoring devices on site.”

Legacy Way inbound. Photo: Mark Calleja

Mr Donovan said union officials were not even allowed to take pictures of dust levels when collecting evidence.

“This means while we have new regulations it is harder for unions representing workers to assist in their enforcement.”

Mr Donovan said the report “sends a chill down the spine” of the more than 2000 workers involved in the major Brisbane tunnel projects and urged regulators and construction companies to take immediate action.

It is understood real-time air monitoring devices cannot be used to assess compliance within the workplace because these devices do not meet the Australian Standard requirements for the measurement of respirable dust or analysis requirements for respirable crystalline silica.

The government says the restrictions aim to protect workplace privacy and prevent misuse.

Australian Workers' Union workers at a rally.

A workforce of more than 2000 were involved in Brisbane’s Clem7, Airport Link and Legacy Way tunnel projects from 2007 and 2013, the report stated.

University of Sydney’s Kate Cole called for “urgent transparency to protect workers” exposed to silica.

“This research shines a light on what has been a largely secret problem. In many cases, silica dust data isn’t publicly released, making it difficult to track or respond to emerging health risks. We need urgent transparency to protect workers,” she said.

A spokesman for the Deputy Premier Jarrod Bleijie said for a decade under the previous Labor Government worker safety was used as an “industrial weapon.”

“By entry permit holders like the CFMEU, who used photographs and videos to intimidate and harass employers and workers.

Every Queenslander should come home safely from work every day, and the Crisafulli Government is ensuring workplace health and safety laws are upheld by everyone in the workplace,” a spokesman said.

Originally published as Australian Workers’ Union fears Brisbane tunnel workers could end up with lung cancer