So far six workers have been diagnosed with pneumoconiosis. “But that is six too many,” QRC CEO Michael Roche said.

The Queensland government released its interim report, which highlights a number of areas that could be improved.

The first step is prevention and if there is non-compliance with dust levels it’s appropriate that the Mines Inspectorate act and enforce the regulations. Industry is currently cooperating with the government’s work reviewing the regulations, according to Roche.

A number of coal companies have also offered voluntary chest x-rays and of these hundreds of repeated x-rays one case was found that was already known via the current Coal Mine Workers’ Health Scheme.

“The industry was shocked by the news as it was thought to have been eradicated decades ago because our top priority is the health and safety of mine workers” Roche said.

The QRC continues to fully support the Queensland review of the Coal Mine Workers’ Health Scheme, headed by Monash University’s Prof Malcolm Sim and the five-point action plan announced by the Mines Minister, Dr Anthony Lynham in January.

“It is vital that all parties involved work together to achieve the best outcomes for workers’ health and safety in the industry,” Roche said.