Queensland’s resources safety regulator has issued a warning to coal mine operators and staff following an increase in invalid respirable dust samples caused by workers intentionally removing their monitoring gear.
Data released by Resources Safety and Health Queensland (RSHQ) revealed that approximately 500 respirable dust samples taken across the state’s coal mines in 2025 were deemed invalid, representing 5.16 per cent of the total.
Alarmingly, around a quarter of those failed tests were caused by coal mine workers actively removing or tampering with their personal monitoring pumps during shifts.
The issue was prevalent at surface mines, though underground operations also recorded failures. According to the regulator, workers employed in field maintenance, pre-strip removal, blast crews, workshops, and blast hole drilling accounted for roughly half of the non-compliant incidents.
Respirable dust sampling is legally mandated to monitor worker exposure to hazardous airborne contaminants, including respirable crystalline silica and coal dust.
These particulates are direct causes of irreversible, progressive, but entirely preventable lung conditions, such as black lung, silicosis, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
RSHQ warned that removing the device from a worker’s designated breathing zone automatically nullifies the sample, destroying critical data used to assess the effectiveness of site dust controls.
The regulator reminded the sector that intentional interference with monitoring equipment may be considered ‘interference with safety equipment’ and may constitute a breach of obligations under Queensland law.
Site Senior Executives (SSEs) have been urged to immediately review their occupational hygiene procedures, deliver targeted toolbox talks, and investigate any patterns of failed sampling.
Coal mine operators and site leadership must ensure appropriate oversight of respirable dust monitoring programs. Site management should provide training and review exposure monitoring reports.
Workers have also been reminded of their absolute obligation to wear the pumps properly for the entire duration of their designated sampling shifts.
