Kate Cole OAM is a certified occupational hygienist dedicated to preventing work-related disease. With expertise in silicosis prevention, her work is shaped by a Winston Churchill Fellowship and experience on major construction and tunnelling projects worldwide. A past President of the Australian Institute of Occupational Hygienists, she serves on the NSW Dust Diseases Board, the Asbestos and Silica Safety Eradication Council, and other key committees. For her contributions to workplace health and safety, she received the Medal (OAM) of the Order of Australia and was in include in the COVID-19 honour roll in the 2022 Australia Day Honours. Kate now works as an independent consultant while completing her PhD research on respirable crystalline silica exposures to tunnel construction workers.