This guideline states ways site senior executives can achieve an acceptable level of risk related to preventing occupational respiratory disease through respiratory health surveillance.

"SSEs must engage an appropriate doctor to undertake and supervise the examinations," RSHQ said.

"This first step is recommended for SSEs not familiar with the health surveillance process. Engagement with workers is also recommended to explain the process. Workers' employers must pay for required examinations including any specialist test or appointments."

Construction, Forestry, Mining and Energy Union district president Stephen Smyth told Australia's Mining Monthly that the guidelines were a good start for the non-coal and quarry sector.

"One area that requires further addressing in both sectors is the use of the independent  doctors," he said.

"There needs to be a complete and utter separation of the company doctors and workers.  They have to ensure that they apply the ILO [International Labor Organisation] requirements.

"It's certainly welcomed and it's good to see the improvements gained in the coal sector are now being applied across the other mining sectors."

The guidelines also provide guidance on frequency of respiratory health surveillance; when respiratory health surveillance may not apply; and examinations that constitute a respiratory health surveillance medical.