NSW Coal Industry Draft Diabetes Health Standard Industry Consultation

Development of the Diabetes Health Standard

The Coal Services Standing Health Committee (SHC) has developed a draft NSW Coal Industry Diabetes Health Standard, which is the fourth in a series of health standards created specifically for the NSW coal industry.

The draft Diabetes Health Standard is now available for broader industry review and feedback.

Purpose of the Diabetes Health Standard

Diabetes can pose significant health and safety risks for coal mine workers if it is not adequately identified, monitored and controlled. Hyperglycaemia (high blood glucose levels) and hypoglycaemia (low blood glucose levels) can cause fatigue, blurred vision, impaired concentration and judgement, and slower reaction times. These effects can increase the risk of accidents, injuries and other hazards in the workplace. If untreated, severe cases can lead to loss of consciousness, coma or death.

The Diabetes Health Standard is designed to support approved medical practitioners conducting Order 45 health assessments to make consistent, evidence-based decisions regarding diabetes and a coal mine worker’s fitness for work. Its purposes include:

• to ensure coal mine workers with diabetes are appropriately identified, monitored and managed to minimise potential health and safety risks
• to assess whether coal mine workers with diabetes have adequate diabetes control to safely undertake their position and risk category within a NSW coal mine.

Review and feedback process

We invite you to review the draft Diabetes Health Standard and provide feedback by:

• completing the feedback form below; or
• emailing the SHC at [email protected]

Feedback will be accepted until 5 pm on Friday, 2 October 2026.

Next steps

• All industry feedback will be reviewed and considered by the SHC for inclusion in the Diabetes Health Standard
• The Diabetes Health Standard will then undergo final review and endorsement by endocrinologist Professor Shamasunder Acharya, the SHC, the Coal Services Clinical Governance Committee and an independent occupational physician
• Following endorsement, the Standard will be scheduled for release, together with a range of supporting resources including fact sheets, explainer videos, FAQs and a diabetes health promotion campaign
• Industry forums are planned for 2027 to provide further information and education.