Govt plan to take action on black lung

The Queensland Government has released a five-point plan to tackle an important health issue for the state’s past and current coal miners.

Natural Resources and Mines Minister and Acting Health Minister Dr Anthony Lynham announced measures to help identify and prevent coal miner’s pneumoconiosis, a lung disease caused by long-term inhalation of coal dust in underground coal mining operations.

“Protecting the health and safety of workers is a fundamental issue for any Labor government, and particularly for me as a doctor,” Dr Lynham said.

“We have confirmed five cases of coal miner’s pneumoconiosis in Queensland and I have asked for Queensland Health data on any other possible cases. There’s still research to be done on the medical and workplace records, but I suspect there are more cases to come.”

The government’s five-point plan includes a review to improve the existing screening system for coal miners, which will be headed by Monash University’s Professor Malcolm Sim.

“I expect an interim report by the end of the first quarter and detailed recommendations by the middle of the year. Prof Sim today briefed unions, industry and health officials in an expert reference group established to support his review,” Dr Lynham said.

Action will also be taken on coal mines exceeding regulated limits on dust levels.

Coal inspectors are reportedly working with all of Queensland’s 12 operating underground coal mines, including those with coal dust issues related to longwall mining techniques, and of the 12, only one is exceeding dust limits.

Dr Lynham said directives will remain in place until mines inspectors are satisfied that mines can stay within the regulated level.

Improvements in how information is collected and used will also be part of the action plan to ensure all possible cases of black lung are accounted for.

“My department and Queensland Health are working on cross-checking their current records, but a priority will also be to make sure this continues into the future so no cases are missed,” Dr Lynham said.

He added that investigating regulatory changes is already underway as part of the mine safety legislation review, which will provide a focus on what changes are required to ensure underground coal dust is kept at safe levels.

The issue will also be placed on the agenda for the national council of mining ministers.

“I know the workers’ representative, the Construction, Forestry and Mining Employees’ Union, and the Queensland Resources Council are taking this issue very seriously,” said Dr Lynham.

“I encourage any past coal miner with a concern to discuss it with their general practitioner.”