There is no cure for MDLD. Damage caused to the lungs cannot be reversed.

But you can slow or stop the progress of the disease by limiting your exposure to respirable dust at work and at home.

Current and former mine and quarry workers with mine dust lung disease have access to public health services to obtain medical aids, equipment and treatment. Visiting specialists are available to assist people in regional areas who have shortness of breath associated with lung disease.

After spending a large part of your working life in mines or quarries, it’s natural to be concerned that a MDLD diagnosis could exclude you from the industry in which you’ve developed years of job-specific skills.

A MDLD diagnosis does mean that you will no longer be able to perform roles in environments with high dust levels. However, there are many roles available within the mining and quarrying industry that are suitable for workers with disease, including roles involving:

• surface operations
• underground mining operations with controlled dust exposure (e.g. as electricians)
• outbye tasks away from respiratory hazards
• maintenance and infrastructure.

The Queensland Government and unions have committed to working with mining companies to retain workers with disease within the industry and facilitate these workers into suitable roles on a case-by-case basis.

More information is available in the Return to work guidelines for mine dust lung diseases.

If you are diagnosed with a MDLD, you cannot be terminated within 12 months of your diagnosis, just because you can’t work in your own job.

For more information, contact the Mine Dust Health Support Service on 1300 445 715 or info@minedusthealthsupport.com

If you develop a mine dust lung disease because of your employment, you may be entitled to workers’ compensation.

Some mining and quarrying companies have chosen to self-insure for workers’ compensation. In Queensland, these companies include BHP Billiton Limited and South32 Cannington Pty Ltd. A full list of companies and contact numbers can be found on the Office of Industrial Relations website.

Other companies are insured through WorkCover Queensland.  You can contact WorkCover Queensland on 1300 362 128.

You can also access help with this process by contacting your union, or the Queensland Council of Unions Workers’ Compensation Information Service on 1800 102 166.

If your claim is accepted, you may be entitled to:

• weekly compensation (for lost wages)
• medical, surgical and hospital expenses and medicines
• lump sum compensation for pneumoconiosis and for any permanent impairment
• rehabilitation treatment and equipment or services
• travelling expenses.

Read about employment and compensation rights (PDF, 108KB).