Resources Safety and Health Queensland (RSHQ) has issued a safety alert to Queensland’s coal mines after reporting an increase in the amount of invalid respirable dust samples caused by workers interfering with monitoring devices.
Chief Inspector of Coal Mines Jacques le Roux is urging all coal mine operators, sites, and workers to address their behaviour by ensuring sampling pumps are worn correctly, monitoring equipment is not interfered with, and accurate exposure data is collected.
“In 2025, approximately 500 respirable dust samples measured at coal mines in Queensland were invalid (5.16%), and around one quarter of those were deemed invalid due to coal mine workers removing the monitoring device,” le Roux says.
Accurate dust sampling is essential for measuring exposure to airborne contaminants that can cause work-related diseases such as silicosis, black lung, or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), all of which are permanent, progressive, and preventable, according to RSHQ.
le Roux says that it is “important” that respirable dust sampling pumps continue to be worn and sampling heads positioned within the breathing zone for the full sampling period.
Health risks
Coal mine dust exposure occurs when miners inhale airborne coal dust and crystalline silica generated during the extraction process.
Black lung is a condition that develops from inhaling coal dust, which deposits in the lungs and causes progressive inflammation and scarring. Silicosis is caused by inhaling crystalline silica dust, which is considered highly toxic to lung tissue and accelerates scarring.
Progressive massive fibrosis is a severe, complicated form of pneumoconiosis characterised by large areas of dense, scarred lung tissue causing severe respiratory impairment.
COPD and chronic bronchitis likewise come about through dust exposure, causing industrial bronchitis that leads to a chronic cough and reduced lung capacity.
RSHQ is the independent regulator of worker safety and health in Queensland’s mining, quarrying, petroleum, gas, and explosives industries. It is focused on ensuring the protection of the safety and health of workers and communities affected by resources operations and explosives use.
Write to Aaliyah Rogan at Mining.com.au
Images: RSHQ
