Coal Mine Workers Health Scheme

Under the Coal Mine Workers’ Health Scheme, health assessments are required:

• before a person starts work as a coal mine worker
• if the AMA (Appointed Medical Advisor registered with DRNME) decides it is necessary after receiving a notice under section 49(3) of the Coal Mining Safety and Health Regulation 2001.
• periodically, as decided by the employer’s nominated medical adviser, but at least once every 5 years
• exit medical once an employee is ceasing work in coal mines

If workers change employers, a new medical may be required.

• The health assessment MUST be conducted by an Examining Medical Officer (EMO) registered with DNRME.
• The spirometry component of the assessment MUST be done by a clinic or practice registered as a Spirometry Service Provider with DNRME.
• The ILO CXR MUST be done according to the NIOSH criteria. Dual B-reads are required with both B-reads to be done through Lungscreen OR initial B-Read completed by NIOSH B-reader registered with DNRME, and second B-read MUST be done through Lungscreen.
• The health assessment is overseen and reviewed by a Jobfit Appointed Medical Advisor (AMA) using the Department of Natural Resources and Mines (DNRME) approved health assessment form.

All assessments booked through Jobfit are completed and Section 4 signed by a Jobfit AMA.

This form has four sections:

• Section 1 is completed by the employer. It includes information about the AMA, the employer, the worker’s position, similar exposure groups, and the health risks associated with employment. This section is required to be completed by the employer in full. No medical assessment can be done if Section 1 is not completed in full by the employer. The employer must also complete two new information boxes in Section 1:

1. ​The date of the coal mine worker’s last respiratory function examination, and
2. The date of the coal mine worker’s last chest x-ray examination.

Employers can obtain this information from Section 4 of previous health assessment form reports or by contacting the Department of Natural Resources and Mines Health Surveillance Unit on (07) 3818 4520 or email.

• Section 2 is completed by the worker. It lists personal and health history information. Photo ID must be brought to the assessment.
• Section 3 is completed by an examining medical officer (EMO who MUST be registered with DNRME) and details clinical findings.
• Section 4 is completed and signed by the AMA and details restrictions and worker identification. It is only the coal board medical section 4 that is forwarded to the employer.

• A new organisation Lung Screen has been appointed by DRNME and replaces the previous US-Based B Reading system (which was funded by DRNME) for chest x-ray imaging. Lung Screen will be the only option to complete the B reading requirement of the assessment.
• The cost of the second B Read is no longer being met by DRNME and will be the responsibility of the employer, and will be included in total costs for undertaking a medical assessment.
• All coal mine workers (surface and underground) regardless of their job title will require an ILO CXR with a dual read.
• The frequency of the ILO CXR is currently 5 yearly for underground workers and 10 yearly for surface workers, unless the AMA decides this is required more frequently due to clinical indicators.
• An “underground worker” includes any coal mine worker who has worked one or more shifts underground. Employers should record this in the new section 1.3 Requirement for Chest X-ray Examination.
• Chest x-ray examination is required to be done according to the ILO classification, with a 2 reader process in place. This will be facilitated by Jobfit on your behalf. The second read MUST be done by Lung Screen and there are additional costs as a result.

The worker may also be required by an employer to undergo drug and alcohol testing at the time of the assessment, but this is not a mandatory requirement of the Coal Mine Worker’s Health Scheme.

A section 4 can only be provided once both reports from the NIOSH accredited B-Readers registered with DNRME and Lung Screen have been received. Interim Section 4 can no longer be provided to the employer or employee.

When the health assessment is complete, Jobfit sends:

• the completed health assessment form to DNRME
• a copy of Section 4 of the completed health assessment form to the worker
• Section 4 of the completed health assessment form to the employer

If the employer requires an explanation of a Section 4 report about a worker from the AMA, the employer must obtain the agreement of the worker and ensure that the worker is present.

For candidates without an employer (self-employed) and paying for their own medical, an interim report will be provided that is valid for 6 months. Once employment is secured, Section 1 should be completed and forwarded to Jobfit so that Section 4 (interim or final) can be provided.

Jobfit keeps the following records:

• a copy of the health assessment data and a copy of the completed 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 form and the AMA’s Section 4 report.

Jobfit sends the following records to DNRME:

• a copy of the full completed health assessment form and data on which it was based.

Jobfit cannot disclose the contents of a worker’s records to anyone but the worker unless the worker has given written consent. The DNRME must disclose the contents of a worker’s records to the worker upon receipt of a written request.

Depending on the type of health problem, our AMA may place some restrictions on a worker to minimise their risk (and risk to others) and prevent further injury or illness. Restrictions are detailed in Section 4 of the approved form and are explained to the worker by our AMA when the approved form is completed.

Restrictions do not necessarily preclude the worker from working, if they are still able to undertake the job safely. However, it is up to employers to determine whether these restrictions can be accommodated.

Completed health assessment forms are the property of the DNRME. The confidentiality of reports is protected by law; reports can only be released to the worker, or a representative appointed in writing by the worker.

Workers can obtain a copy of their completed health assessment form from Jobfit. The DNRME can also supply copies of reports following a request in writing.