To address coal workers’ pneumoconiosis (CWP), the Queensland government has reviewed and amended the Coal Mining Safety and Health Regulation 2001.
Commencing 1 January 2017, the changes will:
- strengthen respirable dust monitoring requirements
- make coal worker’s pneumoconiosis (CWP) and certain other occupational diseases notifiable
- broaden coal mine worker health assessment requirements
- introduce retirement examinations for coal mine workers leaving the industry
- specify frequency of respiratory health screening for above-ground coal mine workers.
Regulated changes to health assessments for Queensland coal miners include:
- new underground and above-ground coal mine workers to undergo a chest x-ray when they enter the coal mining industry.
- above-ground coal mine workers to have respiratory function and chest x-ray examinations at least once every 10 years.
- current employees who are or have worked in an underground coal mine to have respiratory function and chest x-ray examinations at least once every five years.
- respiratory function examinations undertaken as part of health assessments to be compared to a worker’s previous results where available.
- chest x-ray examinations to be performed in accordance with International Labour Organisation guidelines.
Find out more about the Coal Mine Worker’s Health Scheme.
Jobfit conducts Coal Mine Worker’s Health assessments (Coal Board Medicals) for Queensland coal mine workers across Australia. To book a Coal Board Medical, contact us.
