A carpentry company is facing scrutiny after a clip showing a worker blowing silica dust into an apprentice’s face gained widespread attention, prompting the director to respond to backlash.

The New South Wales branch of the Construction, Forestry, Maritime, Mining and Energy Union (CFMEU) has issued a caution about the severe health hazards posed by silica dust, following the release of two videos by Genesis Carpentry, a business located in Western Sydney.

The TikTok video titled ‘A Day in the Life of an Apprentice’ showed two tradies drilling deep holes for posts at a construction site.

As the apprentice drilled the holes, the other tradie blew out the hole with an air gun compressor as a prank.

A huge cloud of concrete dust blew up in the apprentice’s face, who jolted back in surprise and covered his face with his hands. 

In response to criticism of the dangerous stunt, the business appeared to double down and shared a second prank video captioned ‘No one is safe’. 

Genesis Carpentry’s director, Micheal Zaatini, explained to Daily Mail on Friday that the intention behind the videos was purely humorous, affirming the company’s commitment to the serious handling of silica dust exposure.

Silica dust consists of fine particles produced during the cutting, drilling, or grinding of construction materials like stone, concrete, bricks, and engineered stone.

Breathing in the dust can lead to life-long diseases such as silicosis and lung cancer, which may not show symptoms for years. 

“After work, the team decided to create a humorous video for TikTok. The apprentice featured in the video was involved in the planning beforehand,” Mr. Zaatini explained.

‘The boys in the video love that it blew up and are amused that the comments are the way they are. People aren’t realising that it’s a planned video, and that us boys on site are like brothers. Mates first, and workers second.

‘We’d never do something without someone else knowing if it puts them in danger.’

Mr Zaatini said he and his employees take the risks of silica dust seriously.

‘The boys are told about it the very day they start working with Genesis Carpentry. In this video, they both had safety glasses and ear muffs on,’ he said. 

‘They both held their breath, and right after the cue of the dust blowing, they went straight to the taps and thoroughly washed their face, nose and eyes out.’ 

He confirmed that Safe Work NSW had been in touch, but said he wasn’t fazed by the public backlash or the influx of abusive calls he’s received.

‘I hope everyone can see that it was well and truly planned before hand, with the apprentices in the videos never being forced to be apart of the video, but willingly doing it. And them loving the response,’ he said.

‘Even now, whoever would like to speak to the apprentices involved, are more than welcome to give me a call and I will FaceTime with the apprentice on the phone, so they can see them and make sure they’re well.’

The CFMEU NSW branch issued a stern warning after learning of the ‘shocking’ videos from concerned members.

‘Silicosis cases are increasing year on year, taking the lives of young workers. These are workers who have family, friends and people who cared about them,’ coordinator Luke Poskus said.

‘You might think it’s funny to expose workers to silica dust with no PPE or controls in place, but we don’t.’

The company has been inundated with backlash from fellow tradies.

‘Absolute dog act, a massive disregard for these young blokes’ health,’ one said. 

‘Silicosis is so bloody dangerous, and you’re sitting here playing around with it,’ another tradie dad commented. 

‘It may not hit him now but it could later down the line, and it could be because of this little prank you pulled on him today.

‘You’re a business owner, man, responsible for workers’ safety and you’re completely disregarding it. 

‘As tradies, we need to be better, because these young guys have their whole lives ahead of them. We’ve got to do everything we can to keep them safe.

‘This is also why kids don’t want to come and work in the trade, because who wants to be treated like that?’

It’s estimated that 230 Aussies develop lung cancer each year due to past exposure to silica dust at work, while another 350 annually will be diagnosed with silicosis.

The Cancer Council previously told Daily Mail that 600,000 Australians are exposed to silica dust in the workplace every year.

A Curtin University study in 2022 estimated that 10,000 Australians will develop lung cancer from past silica exposure and that 103,000 more will develop silicosis as a direct result of current work.