Primary school, that is.

Mr Harrison's life revolves around appointments and operations after being diagnosed with silicosis, a terminal condition.

For a decade he worked as a stonemason in Queensland oblivious to the long-term impact it would have on not only himself but his family.

WorkSafe Tasmania defines silicosis as a scarring of the lung which can result in a severe shortness of breath. It is irreversible and a preventable disease caused by silica which is found in concrete, brick, mortar, and other construction materials.

Mr Harrison is determined to raise awareness to ensure no one else ends up in his position.

Mr Harrison and his partner Cristale McCormick bought acreage in Devonport, on Tasmania's north coast, to give their three children room to roam and create a childhood filled with memories of riding motorbikes.

However, they have been forced to sell their "forever" home.

It is one of the many sacrifices the couple has had to make since Mr Harrison was diagnosed.

"I can't describe how much this has impacted me," Mr Harrison said.

"We have made decisions that nobody should have to make. It is not a life you would wish on anyone and if you have children it is the uncertainty of it all.

"It has taken everything from me and there is no treatment. It is a one-way highway."

In addition to silicosis, Mr Harrison has also been diagnosed with sarcoidosis, which is another dust-related disease, and major depression disorder.

"It has many other effects on you," he said. "There have been cancer scares. It has been a ride you wouldn't wish on your worst enemy."

For Ms McCormick it has been heartbreaking to see the impact of silicosis on her partner and children.

"Watching someone crumble and lose who they are is devastating," she said.

"It is horrible. He is on the couch for most of the day.

"He is fatigued, he is breathless, and having the recurring pneumonia, it is like he is a ticking time bomb.

"He has always worked with his hands, so now he doesn't have that. He has a massive list of things he can't do anymore and he has to rebuild himself.

"How do you rebuild yourself when you don't know if you are going to wake up tomorrow?"

IN OTHER NEWS:

Ms McCormick said it was frustrating to keep seeing tradesmen exposing themselves to silica.

"I have witnessed six or seven occasions where I have stopped on the side of the road, taken a picture of someone dry cutting and approached the person and asked why they aren't wearing a mask and cutting with water. Most of them are so unaware," she said.

"I want people to be aware that their lives can be ripped from them.

"I have three children and try to explain to them on a daily basis how daddy is not like everyone else's daddy and he can't run and he can't play."

Mr Harrison's advice to tradesman working with silica is simple, pull your head in, put a mask on and cut with water.

"We are not invincible," Mr Harrison said. "It is not just something you read about, it is real.

"You are not indestructible, it doesn't matter how old or how young you are.

"I really hope that other people realise that they are not bulletproof.

"I have got friends that worked in the industry for six months and they are terminal, and they worked wet the entire time.

"I knew a lot of stonemasons and there are not many of us left in the trade."

Mr Harrison said when he was working in the industry there was a lack of awareness of the impact silica could have and a fear of being judged for wearing a mask and cutting wet to protect yourself.

"Don't worry about what everyone else is doing," he said.

"It may take you five minutes longer, and may be that little bit harder and slower, but at the end of the day you won't be in my position.

"We all like to think we are hard at work, but at the end of the day we are not.

"Check your PPE. Make sure your mask is the right grade. A paper mask in a dust storm is not helpful.

"If you are using a vacuum don't go and bash it out in the carpark either, use your brain a bit and water it down."

Mr Harrison said he would do anything he could to help educate people.

"We need to get this message across," he said. "No one should go through this."

'Don't breathe dust' and 'be silica safe' was the key message in a statewide media campaign from November 2019 to January 31, 2020 targeting tradesmen funded by the WorkCover Tasmania board.

'Clean air. Clean lungs.' was the theme of an occupational lung diseases awareness social media campaign developed by Safe Work Australia which ran between June and December 2021.

Acting workplace safety and consumer affairs minister Jacquie Petrusma said the government would continue to implement initiatives to support employers and workers.

"The Tasmanian government is committed to keeping Tasmanians safe, which is why we have taken extensive action to increase awareness, prevention and compliance in regards to the potentially deadly dangers of silica dust," she said.

WorkSafe Tasmania provides education on silica safety through webinars and seminars during WorkSafe month and at industry events.

"Webinars remain available for ongoing learning on the WorkSafe Tasmania website, which also has comprehensive information available," Ms Petrusma said. "Where serious breaches are identified, employers are prosecuted for failing to ensure the health and safety of workers."