{"id":166534,"date":"2016-12-19T12:42:20","date_gmt":"2016-12-19T02:42:20","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/southburnett.com.au\/news2\/?p=166534"},"modified":"2020-07-18T14:53:36","modified_gmt":"2020-07-18T04:53:36","slug":"new-laws-aim-to-protect-miners","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/southburnett.com.au\/news2\/2016\/12\/19\/new-laws-aim-to-protect-miners\/","title":{"rendered":"New Laws Aim To Protect Miners"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"\"<\/a>
Mining Minister Dr Anthony Lynham<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

December 19, 2016<\/strong><\/p>\n

The State Government says a range of health and safety reforms – to become law on January 1 – will protect Queensland coal miners from black lung disease.<\/p>\n

Mines Minister Dr Anthony Lynham said dust levels would be made public, there would be compulsory health checks for underground and above-ground miners, and compulsory reporting of black lung cases to government.<\/p>\n

\u201cThese regulatory changes are a critical element of our commitment to detect and prevent all forms of coal mine dust lung disease – including coal workers\u2019 pneumoconiosis,\u201d Dr Lynham said.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis is a disease that does not belong in the 21st century and I am determined to continue to work with industry, unions and doctors to protect our coal miners.\u201d<\/p>\n

Under the new regulations:<\/strong><\/p>\n

    \n
  • All new coal mine workers will undergo a health assessment, including respiratory function and chest x-ray examinations, on entry into the industry \u2013 enabling doctors to detect changes that may occur over time.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
      \n
    • Above-ground coal mine workers will undergo a chest x-ray and respiratory function test at least once every 10 years. If they have worked underground, it will be at least once every five years.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
        \n
      • Companies will be required to provide dust monitoring data to the Mines Inspectorate every three months.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
          \n
        • An advisory committee of industry, union and government representatives will review the data and it will be published online.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
            \n
          • Black lung will become a notifiable disease, meaning mining companies must report known cases to the Queensland Mines Inspectorate.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
              \n
            • Coal mine workers permanently retiring from the industry can now ask their employer for a retirement examination, including respiratory function and chest x-ray examination.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
                \n
              • Chest x-ray examinations will be performed in accordance with International Labour Organisation guidelines.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

                The tougher regulations are part of the three-pronged approach announced in July to:<\/strong><\/p>\n

                  \n
                • Prevent new cases of coal workers\u2019 pneumoconiosis<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
                    \n
                  • Identify existing cases early<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
                      \n
                    • Provide a safety net for workers with the disease<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

                      \u201cFollowing the introduction of the dual reading screening system in July 2016, more than 2000 coal mine worker chest x-rays have been read first by an Australian radiologist, and then sent to be read by US-based National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health approved readers,” Dr Lynham said.<\/p>\n

                      \u201cThis system ensures every worker\u2019s chest x-ray is examined independently by at least two medical experts.<\/p>\n

                      \u201cI encourage any mine worker \u2013 past or present \u2013 who has concerns about their respiratory health to see their doctor.”<\/p>\n

                      Eighteen Queensland miners have been diagnosed with coal workers\u2019 pneumoconiosis, which is caused by long-term exposure to respirable coal dust.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

                      The State Government says a range of health and safety reforms – to become law on January 1 – will protect Queensland coal miners from black lung disease.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":20,"featured_media":158370,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[5,3],"tags":[],"yoast_head":"\nNew Laws Aim To Protect Miners - southburnett.com.au<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/southburnett.com.au\/news2\/2016\/12\/19\/new-laws-aim-to-protect-miners\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"New Laws Aim To Protect Miners - southburnett.com.au\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"The State Government says a range of health and safety reforms - 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