Current mineral mine and quarry workers

Amendments to the Mining and Quarrying Safety and Health Regulation 2017 require that Queensland mineral mine and quarry workers undertake periodic respiratory health surveillance to identify any changes in lung function or the early signs of lung disease.

When to have an assessment

The Site Senior Executive (SSE) must arrange respiratory health surveillance to be undertaken prior to a person commencing work in the industry and then at least once every five years. These are coordinated by the Appropriate Doctor.

New medicals are not necessarily required when changing sites or employers, unless the risk has changed.

Your employer must pay for the costs of medicals and any associated travel expenses.

The SSE may, through a risk assessment that considers current and previous exposure, determine that respiratory health surveillance is not required if the worker’s exposure to respiratory hazards is so minimal that it can be effectively managed without respiratory health surveillance. This same mechanism applies under the Coal Mine Workers’ Health Scheme.

Who is my Appropriate Doctor?

The Appropriate Doctor is appointed by your SSE to undertake, manage and supervise health surveillance, including respiratory health surveillance.

Resources Safety and Health Queensland has set out the specific qualifications and experience that an Appropriate Doctor must meet. They are the only person authorised to complete the health surveillance report.

More information

The Business Queensland website has more information about respiratory health surveillance for mineral mine and quarry workers.