Organization : Queensland Government
Service Name : Coal Mine Workers’ Health Scheme
State/Province : Queensland
Country: Australia
Coal Board Medical Scheme:
The Coal Mine Workers’ Health Scheme (formerly the Coal Board Medical) protects the health of Queensland coal mine workers by ensuring they undergo compulsory pre-employment and periodic health assessments.
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Under the scheme, operators of Queensland coal mines must ensure that health assessments are carried out on each person they employ, or intend to employ, as a coal mine worker. The scheme does not apply to workers employed for low-risk tasks.
Coal mine workers who are permanently retiring from the coal mining industry are also able to request a retirement examination as part of the scheme.
Timing of health assessments:
Health assessments are required:
** before a person starts work as a mine worker
** periodically, as decided by the employer’s nominated medical adviser (NMA), but at least once every 5 years
** if the NMA decides it is necessary after receiving a notice under section 49 of the Coal Mining Safety and Health Regulation 2001 (PDF, 1.2MB).
Note:
If an employer receives a notice that the level of risk to a coal mine worker’s health has increased appreciably, the employer must give a copy of the notice to the NMA, and the worker’s exposure to the hazard must be periodically monitored to assess their level of risk.
Changing employers:
If workers change employers, a new medical may be required.
Workers undergoing rehabilitation:
Workers undergoing rehabilitation should not undergo the periodic health assessment required under the Coal Mine Workers’ Health Scheme until their condition is stable and unlikely to improve.
Health assessment process:
The employer is required to arrange and pay for their workers’ health assessment. The health assessment is conducted by the employer’s nominated medical adviser (NMA) using the Department of Natural Resources and Mines (DNRM) health assessment form in accordance with sections 46, 46A and 46B of the Coal Mining Safety and Health Regulation 2001 (PDF, 1.2MB).
For copies of the health assessment form, call (07) 3818 5420 or email HSU@dnrm.qld.gov.au.
This form has 4 sections:
** Section 1 is completed by the employer. It includes information about the NMA, the employer, the worker’s position, similar exposure groups (PDF, 319KB) and the health risks associated with employment.
** Section 2 is completed by the worker. It documents the worker’s personal details as well as work and medical history information. Photo ID must be brought to the assessment.
** Section 3 is completed by an examining medical officer and details clinical findings.
** Section 4 (the health assessment report) is completed and signed by the NMA and details fitness for duty, work restrictions and requirements for a subsequent follow-up and assessment of the worker. Only this section is forwarded to the employer.
Health assessment report:
** If a coal mine worker requires a chest X-ray (CXR), the NMA refers them to a radiologist listed on the Register of clinical radiologists for CWP screening published by the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Radiologists (RANZCR). The worker will be asked to complete a consent form for a dual chest X-ray reading.
** Once the first report is returned, the NMA provides the CXR result (DICOM image and report), consent form and ILO classification form to the Health Surveillance Unit (HSU) by secure file transfer.
** HSU dispatches the CXR for a second reading and will forward the results back to the NMA. The NMA reviews all reports, completes section 4 of the form and shares the US CXR reading with the radiology clinic.
When the health assessment is complete, the NMA sends:
** the completed health assessment form and all medical reports (Australian CXR report; US CXR report; spirometry report; CT scan report if applicable) to HSU (all sections of the form must be completed; incomplete forms will be returned)
** a copy of the health assessment report (section 4 of the form) to the coal mine worker (does not include sections 1, 2 or 3 of the form)
** the health assessment report (section 4 of the form) to the coal mine worker’s employer.
If the employer requires an explanation of a health assessment report (section 4 of the form) about a worker from the NMA, the employer must obtain the agreement of the worker and ensure that the worker is present – see section 47(1)(c) of the Coal Mining Safety and Health Regulation 2001 (PDF, 1.2MB).
Record keeping and reporting requirements:
The NMA must keep these records:
** a copy of the health assessment data and a copy of the completed health assessment form for each assessment that they have conducted
** if the assessment (up to section 3) has been undertaken by another doctor, copies of the completed health assessment form and the NMA’s health assessment report (section 4 of the form).
The NMA is required to send the following to the Chief Executive of DNRM:
** the original X-ray and X-ray report (CD or DVD are acceptable for the report, the HSU will already have the DICOM file)
** a copy of the completed health assessment form and data on which it was based.
All relevant sections of the form must be completed, including those for the audiology and respiratory function tests. Printouts alone are not acceptable.
Incomplete and inconsistent forms or medicals not on the approved form will be returned to the NMA for correction and completion.
Send records to:
Health Surveillance Unit
Simtars
PO Box 467
GOODNA QLD 4300