Free lung health checks offered to former miners

Former and retired Queensland mine and quarry workers are encouraged to take advantage of free lung checks to detect mine dust lung diseases. The free lung health check program, administered by Resources Safety and Health Queensland (RSHQ), provides a free check every five years, for life.

In the last year, the total number of mine dust lung disease cases for current and former workers diagnosed since 1984 has risen to 400. The majority of new cases are former workers who have received a free lung health check from their local, RSHQ-approved doctor, or from Health of Australia’s HEART 5 Mobile Health Unit. The unit was launched in February 2022 as part of a commitment of the Palaszczuk government.

Minister for Resources Scott Stewart encouraged people to get tested because early detection is critical to enable people to access support and treatment sooner. Stewart said more than 150,000 chest X-rays have been completed for current and former workers since 2016, with more than 700 former workers, who otherwise may not have gotten tested, having accessed a free lung health check through the program run by RSHQ. “I also want to thank the Mine Dust Victims Group for all the work they do to encourage people to get tested, as well as their continued advocacy,” Stewart said.

Dean Barr, Executive Director (Occupational Health) of RSHQ, said ongoing checks are important because most dust lung diseases can develop many years after workers retire from the industry. “The checks include chest X-ray and spirometry and, when required, other follow-up investigations such as high-resolution CT scans. Our partnership with Heart of Australia to provide mobile lung checks has ensured the program delivers world-class testing, while being even more accessible to regional and remote Queensland,” Barr said.

The HEART 5 Mobile Health Unit is visiting Ipswich, Moranbah, The Gemfields and Emerald in August. Former workers can book a free lung health check from the HEART 5 or their local authorised doctor by contacting the Mine Dust Health Support Service on 1300 445 715.

Image credit: iStock.com/Charday Penn