Queensland reports another case of black lung

PERTH (miningweekly.com) – The Queensland government has reported another case of coal worker’s pneumoconiosis, bringing the total number of affected workers in the state to seven.

Natural Resources and Mines Minister Anthony Lynham told Parliament this week that a 55-year-old underground miner from central Queensland had been confirmed as having the disease.

The worker’s condition was diagnosed after an X-ray offered by his employer to all employees late last year when cases began emerging.

“This underlines the importance of the five-point action plan I announced in January to help identify and prevent coal workers’ pneumoconiosis,” Lynham said.

“It’s critical that government, industry and unions continue our work together to tackle the re-emergence of this disease.”

The five-point plan included a review to improve the existing screening system to allow chest X-rays when coal miners started work, and at least every five years.

The plan would also take action on coal mines exceeding regulated limits on dust levels, while improving how information was collected and used to ensure cases were not missed.

Further, the plan would investigate regulatory changes as part of the mine safety legislation review already under way, and would place the issue on the agenda for the national council of mining Ministers.

Lynham urged any coal worker with health concerns to contact their doctor.

Workers union CFMEU said on Friday that the latest case was just the “tip of the iceberg”, with the union being aware of at least another infection.

“While this is the seventh publicly confirmed case, we know that there are a number of coal mine workers who have this disease and we've been waiting on confirmation,” said CFMEU mining and energy division Queensland district president Steve Smyth.

"At least one former miner has been confirmed with pneumoconiosis but the Queensland government won’t confirm the case until they have ticked it off.

“These seven publicly confirmed cases are just the tip of the iceberg, but we think that number could be as high as 12. This is going to be an ongoing process over the coming weeks and months.”

With two inquiries completed into Black Lung disease, the union has called on the Queensland government to act.