The Queensland Government has made important changes to the Coal Mine Workers’ Health Scheme which came into effect on 1 March 2019. These changes affect medical providers who provide examinations or health assessments for Queensland’s coal mine workers.
From 1 March 2019, only providers who have been approved by the Department of Natural Resources, Mines and Energy (DNRME) may perform particular functions under the Scheme. These functions are:
- carrying out, supervising or reporting on health assessments
- providing spirometry testing
- taking or examining chest X-rays to the ILO International Classification of Radiographs of Pneumoconioses.
Only approved spirometry training providers can provide training for those people who perform spirometry testing for the scheme.
It is an offence to carry out these functions if you are not approved by DNRME.
Medical providers should check with presenting workers to see if they are a current or former coal mine worker. If so, providers should determine whether they can undertake the examination or assessment and what requirements apply. Detailed information about the Scheme is available on the DNRME website.
If you have any questions contact the Coal Mine Workers’ Health Scheme team on (07) 3199 7967 or email minehealthregister@dnrme.qld.gov.au.