Debate

Policy challenges from the "White" Senate inquiry into workplace-related health impacts of toxic dusts and nanoparticles

Thomas A Faunce¹, Haydn Walters², Trevor Williams³, David Bryant⁴, Martin Jennings⁵ and Bill Musk⁶

¹  Medical School and College of Law Australian National University, Canberra, Australia

²  Royal Hobart Hospital, Clinical School University of Tasmania, Hobart, Australia

³  Department of Allergy, Immunology & Respiratory Medicine, The Alfred Hospital, Melbourne, Australia

⁴  Department of Medicine St Vincent's Clinical School and University of NSW, Sydney, Australia

⁵  Past President Australian Institute of Occupational Hygenists, Australia

⁶  Faculty of Public Health and Medicine University of Western Australia, Perth, Australia

Australia and New Zealand Health Policy 2006, 3:7doi:10.1186/1743-8462-3-7

Published:	17 June 2006

Abstract

On 22 June 2005 the Senate of the Commonwealth of Australia voted to establish an inquiry into workplace harm related to toxic dust and emerging technologies (including nanoparticles). The inquiry became known as the "White" Inquiry after Mr Richard White, a financially uncompensated sufferer of industrial sandblasting-induced lung disease who was instrumental in its establishment. The "White" Inquiry delivered its final report and recommendations on 31 May 2006. This paper examines whether these recommendations and their implementation may provide a unique opportunity not only to modernize relevant monitoring standards and processes, but related compensation systems for disease associated with workplace-related exposure to toxic dusts. It critically analyzes the likely role of the new Australian Safety and Compensation Council (ASCC) in this area. It also considers whether recommendations related to potential workplace related harm from exposure to nanoparticles could commence a major shift in Australian healthcare regulation.