PERTH (miningweekly.com) – The Queensland state government this week revealed a five-point plan to deal with health issues in the coal mining sector, as black lung disease returned to the Australian mining sector after having been wiped out decades ago.

Natural Resources and Mines Minister and Acting Health Minister Dr Anthony Lynham announced measures to help identify and prevent coal miners’ 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,” Lynham said.

The Minister said that five cases of coal miners’ pneumoconiosis in Queensland had been confirmed, adding that data on any other possible cases had also been requested.  

“There’s still research to be done on the medical and workplace records, but I suspect there are more cases to come.

“I am determined to get on top of this issue to protect workers now and into the future and to be open and transparent as we progress.”

The five-point plan would include a review to improve the existing screening system to allow chest X-rays when coal miners started work, and at least every five years.

The plan would also take action on coal mines exceeding regulated limits on dust levels, while improving how information was collected and used to ensure cases were not missed.

Further, the plan would investigate regulatory changes as part of the mine safety legislation review already under way, and would place the issue on the agenda for the national council of mining Ministers.

The Queensland Resources Council welcomed the five-point plan, with CEO Michael Roche saying that the top priority was the health and safety of mineworkers.

“Queensland coal mines have a rigorous and transparent system of compliance with standards for dust levels and industry will continue to work closely with the department to ensure compliance,” Roche said.