Construction Safety Nova Scotia launches provincewide campaign to raise awareness of silica hazards and prevent long-term lung disease

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 
March 3, 2026 

Don't let lungsquatters inDARTMOUTH, N.S. — Construction Safety Nova Scotia (CSNS) has launched a new provincewide awareness campaign to help workers and employers better understand the dangers of crystalline silica and take action to prevent exposure on the job. 

Crystalline silica is found in materials like concrete, stone, brick, sand, and tile—common across construction and many related industries. Cutting, drilling, crushing, or grinding these materials releases fine dust that’s often too small to see. Breathing this dust can cause severe, irreversible lung disease, including silicosis, lung cancer, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). More than 10,000 workers in Nova Scotia are potentially exposed to silica dust each year, primarily in construction and skilled trades. 

“Silica is one of the most common — and least visible — hazards on construction sites,” said MJ MacDonald, CEO of CSNS. “The harm it causes is permanent, but the good news is that silica related illnesses are entirely preventable. This campaign gives workers and employers clear, practical tools to reduce exposure and protect themselves.” 

This innovative campaign, The Lungsquatters, personifies respirable crystalline silica as “squatters” that move into a worker’s lungs and never leave — making an invisible hazard visible in a memorable, relatable way. The campaign website, lungsquatters.ca, is designed to support both employers and workers, offering clear and accessible guidance for recognizing silica hazards, using dust control methods, and understanding workplace rights and responsibilities.

For employers, the site offers

  • step-by-step guidance to identify potential sources of silica on job sites and implement effective control measures
  • downloadable templates, toolbox talks, and posters
  • information on selecting and using proper personal protective equipment (PPE)
  • resources tailored to Nova Scotia’s laws and regulatory requirements 

For workers, the site provides:

  •  practical information on how to protect themselves and others from silica dust
  • a PPE checklist guidance on their right to refuse unsafe work
  • guidance on their right to refuse unsafe work
  • a quiz to help reinforce silica safety knowledge 

Construction Safety Nova Scotia encourages all workers, supervisors, and employers in the construction and related industries to explore the new resources and integrate silica safe practices into daily operations.  

This campaign is funded in part through the Province of Nova Scotia’s Occupational Health and Safety Education Trust Fund.  

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About Construction Safety Nova Scotia 

Construction Safety Nova Scotia (CSNS) is an industry-founded and industry-funded not-for-profit association focused on improving occupational health and safety in the construction sector. CSNS is a highly regarded leader in OHS services with over 300,000 students trained in health and safety and over 1,050 firms attaining the association’s Certificate of Recognition (COR®) safety certification. The board of directors, OHS advisors, and CSNS staff work towards a safer construction industry by engaging with its membership to reduce injuries and improve safety culture. The association is passionate about saving lives and reducing injuries through industry-tailored instruction and advice. To learn more, visit constructionsafetyns.ca. 

For media inquiries, please contact: 

Shannon Kehoe
Director, Strategy & Engagement
Cell: 902-209-5658
Email: skehoe@constructionsafetyns.ca