New figures from Resources Safety and Health Queensland (RSHQ) reveals that around one in 10 former miners tested across central Queensland have been diagnosed with a mine dust lung disease.
Due to the latest figures, RSHQ’s former worker program is offering free lung checks to former Queensland mine and quarry workers on the HEART5 Mobile Health Unit. The mobile health unit will help detect illnesses that may otherwise go unnoticed.
Since 2022, 1,881 former mine workers have attended HEART5, with the mobile unit completing 65 visits across 31 towns.
In Emerald, 51 former workers were screened, with six found to have developed a lung disease from their time in the industry. Meanwhile, five out of 57 people tested positive in Clermont.
In Rockhampton, 279 former workers were screened and 42 were diagnosed with a lung disease. In Mackay, 38 out of 403 were also found to have a lung disease.
RSHQ Executive Director of occupational health Dean Barr says the unit is expanding to Blackwater for the first time, and will be returning to previous testing areas.
“We test for diseases like silicosis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and black lung,” Barr says.
“These diseases take time to develop – sometimes up to 10 years and with no symptoms – that’s why it’s so important to get tested even after you have left the industry.”
Write to Aaliyah Rogan at Mining.com.au
Images: RSHQ
