Monday, 14 September 2026
Professional Skills
Understanding the Evidence Underground: Silica Dust Exposure and Control in Australian Tunnelling
- Examine current scientific evidence on respirable crystalline silica exposure in Australian tunnel construction and its implications for understanding silica-related disease.
- Drawing on the largest known dataset of contemporary Australian tunnelling exposures in NSW and QLD, examine exposure levels, the tasks and conditions that drive them, and the practical barriers and enablers of effective dust control
- Explore the factors that can prevent respiratory protection from delivering its expected level of protection
Presented by Kate Cole OAM FAIOH, Certified Occupational Hygienist, Director, Cole Health
Chair
Lian Chami, Partner, Bartier Perry; Preeminent Dust Diseases Lawyers (Defendant) – New South Wales, Doyle’s Guide 2025
Description
Attend and earn 1 CPD unit in Substantive Law
This program is applicable to practitioners from all States & Territories
* This interactive online recording includes questions and quizzes requiring critical thinking about the topics, so you have no annual limits to the number of points/hours you can claim with this format of learning. Please verify with your CPD rules
Presenters
Kate Cole OAM FAIOH, Certified Occupational Hygienist, Director, Cole HealthKate Cole OAM is a multiple award-winning scientist, engineer and Certified Occupational Hygienist who has dedicated her career to the prevention of work-related disease. Her work on preventing silicosis has been informed by the completion of a Winston Churchill Fellowship and her extensive work on major construction and tunnelling projects in Australia and abroad. Kate is the past President of the Australian Institute of Occupational Hygienists, the former co-chair of the National Silicosis Prevention Strategy Expert Steering Committee, a member of the NSW Dust Diseases Board, and sits on the Asbestos and Silica Safety Eradication Agency’s Council. In recognition of her outstanding contributions to workplace health and safety, Kate was awarded the Medal (OAM) of the Order of Australia and was included in the Covid-19 Honour Roll in the 2022 Australia Day Honours. Kate now works as an independent consultant while completing her PhD at the University of Sydney where she is researching respirable crystalline silica exposures to tunnel construction workers.
Lian Chami, Partner, Bartier Perry
Lian brings over 15 years of experience in law, specialising in dust diseases work and historical liability claims. With a background in alternative dispute resolution, Lian is dedicated to achieving the best outcomes for clients. Her current practice focuses on dust-related cases, where she has been providing exemplary legal services to various clients, including NSW government clients in transport, education, public works, and health under the Treasury Managed Fund (TMF) and Comcare work on behalf of the Commonwealth Government. Lian’s clients appreciate her efficiency and practical, cost-effective approach to resolving or contesting litigations.
