Free, mandatory lung checks and reduced mine dust limits take effect this week to further protect Queensland’s mine and quarry workers.
Various mining, quarrying, maintenance and processing activities can result in the release of dust particles into the air, and exposure to dust continues to be a major risk to the health of workers in the industry.
The mandatory health checks already in place for coal mine workers will extend to the state’s 15,000 metalliferous mine and quarry workers from today. Coal and silica dust levels – responsible for black lung disease and silicosis – will also reduce.
Minister for Natural Resources, Mines and Energy the Hon. Dr Anthony Lynham said the protections were the latest in a suite of reforms to protect the health and safety of the state’s resources workers.
“Queensland now has the toughest mine safety and health laws in the world – including the offence of industrial manslaughter,” he commented.
From today, the allowable limit for respirable coal dust is cut to 1.5 milligrams per cubic metre from 2.5 and from 1 to 0.05 milligrams per cubic metre for silica dust.
This follows a nationwide review by Safe Work Australia. Dr Lynham committed three years ago to adopt Safe Work Australia’s recommendations on workplace exposure standards.
Additionally, every metalliferous mine and quarry worker will have a chest X-ray that is read by at least two qualified radiologists as well as a lung function test. This will happen when they first start in the industry as well as at least once every five years during their career in the industry. After they leave the industry, they can continue to have free respiratory health checks for life.
The measures provide mineral mine and quarry workers with the same health checks as their 37,000 coal mining counterparts who already have free mandatory respiratory health screening.
