It was billed as a "game-changing, life-saving" solution to a growing workplace safety threat.

An award-winning device, developed in partnership with the NSW government, that could detect fine silica dust and help protect workers from a potentially deadly disease, known as silicosis.

However, in the days before the product was launched, experts within the state government became increasingly concerned about its accuracy.

Technical staff within SafeWork NSW warned that the device was "not market ready", and expressed misgivings about testing data.

However, the product was launched anyway.

SafeWork NSW has now been referred to the Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) over its handling of the $1.34 million contract.