The workout supplement, known as Jack3d, was banned at a Bowen Basin coal mine last month after it became known to management it was being used to reduce fatigue among its workers.

The pre-training sports supplement is legal in Australia and is commonly taken by body builders and weight lifters.

The supplement contains caffeine but it also contains a stimulant known as dimethylamylamine which is banned by the World Anti-Doping Agency.

Side effects of Jack3d include increased blood pressure, increased risk of dehydration due to increased urine output and inability to sleep.

Following the banning of the supplement, the Queensland Mines Inspectorate released a safety alert saying that the improper use of the supplement was a concern and detailed a number of recommendations to manage the use of workout supplements in coal mines.

“The safety and health management system at coal mines must provide for controlling risks at the mine associated with personal fatigue and the improper use of drugs,” the inspectorate said in the alert.

The need to enforce appropriate fitness provisions in order to prevent fatigue was also advised.

The provisions included working no more than the mandated maximum number of hours for a working shift, resting for the appropriate number and length of breaks in a shift and not exceeding the maximum number of hours to be worked in a roster cycle.

The QMI said proper diligence needed to be applied when identifying, assessing and analysing the improper use of drugs.