Current coal mine workers

The Coal Mine Workers’ Health Scheme protects the long-term health of Queensland coal miners. It requires that every coal mine worker completes a health assessment at least once every five years.

Formerly known as the Coal Board Medical, it provides early diagnosis and intervention for diseases like coal workers’ pneumoconiosis (CWP) and silicosis. It is also used to determine your fitness for work.

When to have an assessment

Your employer must arrange and pay for your health assessments, including any additional tests or follow-up investigations of abnormal screening results.

All Queensland coal mine workers employed for a task other than a ‘low risk’ task must receive a health assessment:

• on entry to the industry or change in employer
• at least every five years while employed in the industry
• at retirement (on a voluntary basis).

While a new health assessment is required upon change of employer, the medical examination, chest X-ray or spirometry tests may not need to be repeated if previous examinations are still in date, and the Appointed Medical Adviser (AMA) decides repeat tests are not necessary.

You might also be required to have a health assessment if your employer’s AMA (previously called Nominated Medical Adviser – NMA) decides it is necessary (e.g. if on-site monitoring indicates high respirable dust levels).

Eligible former coal mine workers can obtain a respiratory health assessment through Resources Safety & Health Queensland (RSHQ).

Who is my Appointed Medical Adviser (AMA)?

The AMA is a doctor appointed by your employer to undertake, manage and supervise Coal Mine Workers’ Health Scheme health assessments. These doctors must be appointed by employers from the list of doctors approved by RSHQ. They are the only person authorised to complete the health assessment report Section 4 (previously Section 4 of your health assessment form) and are responsible for ensuring that the results are reported.

Your health assessment will be conducted by your employer’s AMA, or another qualified doctor under the supervision of the AMA.

Your health assessment form comes in 4 sections, each completed by a different person.

Section	Completed by	Includes
Employer section (previously section 1)	Employer	AMA and employer details your position similar exposure groups health risks associated with your employment
Worker section (previously section 2)	You	your personal details work and medical history a copy of photo ID
Examination section (previously section 3)	AMA or examining doctor	clinical findings chest X-ray results spirometry test results
Your health assessment report (previously section 4)	AMA	review of clinical findings fitness for duty work restrictions follow-up requirements

More information

The Business Queensland website has more information about the Coal Mine Workers’ Health Scheme.