COAL MINE WORKERS HEALTH SCHEME
(RSHQ COAL MINE MEDICALS)

Under the Coal Mine Workers’ Health Scheme, health assessments are required:

• before a person starts work as a coal mine worker
• if the AMA (Appointed Medical Advisor registered with RSHQ) decides it is necessary after receiving a notice under section 49(3) of the Coal Mining Safety and Health Regulation 2001.
• periodically, as decided by the employer’s nominated medical adviser, but at least once every 5 years
• exit medical once an employee is ceasing work in coal mines

If workers change employers, a new medical may be required.

A new health assessment may be required, however please discuss the specific situation with your AMA.

• Both employer and employee must be registered on the ResHeath portal (through QGov with 100 point ID) and setup their profile. How to register | Resources Safety & Health Queensland (rshq.qld.gov.au) Login or register | QGov (identity.qld.gov.au)
• Employers are responsible to ensure their profile and AMA’s are up to date
• Self-employed workers cannot initiate or book a Health Assessment if the employer has not initiated it on the ResHealth portal.Self-employed workers with their own company or who are working for themselves, can initiate a Health Assessment, however they will have to register as an employer and as a worker. They then can:
  • Initiate the Health Assessment on the ResHealth portal as an employer and complete the Section 1.
  • Complete the Section 2 / RSHQ Health Assessment Questionnaire on the portal PRIOR to attending the appointment.
• Employers MUST initiate a Health Assessment (HA) for new or existing workers and complete the necessary employer information (Section 1) via the online portal BEFORE the Health Assessment can be completed.
• The Employer Information (Section 1) consists of:
  • Information about the AMA, the employer, the worker’s position, similar exposure groups, and the health risks associated with employment. This section is required to be completed online by the employer in full. No medical assessment can be done if the Employer Information (Section 1) is not completed online by the employer before the booking is made..
• A Health Assessment number (HA#) will be provided to the employer. This HA# and worker Date of Birth (DOB) are required in order to book a Health Assessment with Jobfit
• Employers must also inform their workers of their requirement to complete the worker information & Health Assessment Questionnaire (Section 2) on the ResHealth portal PRIOR to attending for the Health Assessment.
• The health assessment MUST be conducted by an Examining Medical Officer (EMO) registered with RSHQ.
• The Examining Medical Officer (EMO) will complete the components on the ResHealth portal (old Section 3) and this contain the clinical findings.
• The spirometry component of the assessment MUST be done by a clinic or practice registered as a Spirometry Service Provider with RSHQ.
• The ILO CXR MUST be done according to the NIOSH criteria. Dual B-reads are required with both B-reads to be done through Lungscreen OR initial B-Read completed by NIOSH B-reader registered with RSHQ, and second B-read MUST be done through Lungscreen.
• The health assessment is overseen and reviewed by a Jobfit Appointed Medical Advisor (AMA) on the ResHealth Portal and will finalise the Health Assessment Report (Section 4) through the portal.
• Once a Health Assessment is completed and Health Assessment Report (Section 4) generated, the employer and employee will receive notification that the Health Assessment Report (Section 4) is available to download on their profile.

• Lung Screen has been appointed by RSHQ and replaces the previous US-Based B Reading system (which was funded by RSHQ) for chest x-ray imaging. Lung Screen will be the only option to complete the B reading requirement of the assessment.
• The cost of the second B Read is not met by RSHQ and will be the responsibility of the employer, and will be included in total costs for undertaking a medical assessment.
• All coal mine workers (surface and underground) regardless of their job title will require an ILO CXR with a dual read.
• Chest x-ray examination is required to be done according to the ILO classification, with a 2 reader process in place. This will be facilitated by Jobfit on your behalf. The second read MUST be done by Lung Screen and there are additional costs as a result.

The worker may also be required by an employer to undergo drug and alcohol testing at the time of the assessment, but this is not a mandatory requirement of the Coal Mine Worker’s Health Scheme.

All imaging providers that perform the ILO CXR for RSHQ Coal Mine Health Assessments, must be registered by RHSQ and be accredited by QIP. All ILO CXR imaging therefore MUST be performed by a service provider who is registered by RSHQ. Registered imaging providers can be found at:

Find an approved provider | Medical register (rshq.qld.gov.au)

RSHQ has engaged Lungscreen Australia to coordinate an Australian-based dual-read program.

Lungscreen Australia replaced US-based B-reading for all Queensland coal mine worker chest X-rays on 1 March 2019. All chest X-rays must be sent to Lungscreen Australia from this date.

Lungscreen will classify coal mine worker chest X-rays to the ILO Classification and will provide the final ILO report back to the referring doctor.

Several factors now limit our capacity to complete medicals on the same day. The AMA must wait for the final Lungscreen ILO Chest x-Ray B Read report before being able to finalise the Health Assessment and complete the Health Assessment Report (Section 4).

We are aware this may cause operational issues for our clients and will work with you wherever we can to expedite processes. However our best advice is plan ahead. The ILO CXR ideally should be completed 3 days PRIOR to the Health Assessment as this will expedite the process. Ensure all your workers have registered for Lungscreen IDs ahead of time.

The AMA is required to adhere to the RSHQ Clinical Pathway criteria. At times there may be additional information that will be required before the AMA can finalise a Health Assessment, which may result in further delays.

A Health Assessment Report (Section 4) can only be completed once both reports from the NIOSH accredited B-Readers registered with RSHQ and Lung Screen have been received. Interim Health Assessment Report (Interim Section 4) cannot be provided.

When the health assessment is complete and the Health Assessment Report (Section 4) is available:

• The employer and employee will receive notification via email that this is available for download on the portal.
• Jobfit will not be providing the Health Assessment Report (Section 4) to the employer

If the employer requires an explanation of a Health Assessment Report (Section 4) about a worker from the AMA, the employer must obtain the agreement of the worker and ensure that the worker is present.

Self-employed workers will not be able to book a RSHQ Coal Mine Medical without a job or role on a Coal Mine and therefore cannot obtain an Interim Health Assessment Report (Interim Section 4).

Jobfit keeps the following records:

• A copy of the full Health Assessment completed on the ResHealth portal.
• A copy of the Health Assessment Report (Section 4) completed by the Jobfit AMA
• Additional investigations or information that may be required to finalise the Health Assessment.

Jobfit cannot disclose the contents of a worker’s records to anyone but the worker unless the worker has given written consent. The RSHQ must disclose the contents of a worker’s records to the worker upon receipt of a written request.

Depending on the type of health problem, our AMA may place some restrictions on a worker to minimise their risk (and risk to others) and prevent further injury or illness. Restrictions are detailed in the Health Assessment Report (Section 4).

Restrictions do not necessarily preclude the worker from working, if they are still able to undertake the job safely. However, it is up to employers to determine whether these restrictions can be accommodated.

Completed health assessment are the property of the RSHQ. The confidentiality of reports is protected by law; reports can only be released to the worker, or a representative appointed in writing by the worker.

Workers can obtain a copy of their completed health assessment from RSHQ through a written request.