NSW Coal Industry Respiratory Health Standard

Background 

Coal mining produces coal dust and dusts from other minerals, including silica. Repeated exposure to coal mine dust can put coal mine workers at risk of developing coal mine dust lung diseases (CMDLD). 

Drawing on current best medical practices, the NSW Coal Industry Respiratory Health Standard (Respiratory Health Standard) provides critical guidance to approved medical practitioners, supporting them to make consistent, evidenced based clinical decisions regarding respiratory health. It instructs them on which respiratory health investigations to arrange to determine a coal mine worker’s lung function and provides clear clinical pathways for the management of identified respiratory impairment. 

The Respiratory Health Standard was developed through the Coal Services Standing Health Committee which includes representatives from Coal Services, the NSW Minerals Council, Mining and Energy Union, mining contractors, the External Doctor Network, Hunter and Central Coast Primary Health Networks, and Professor Deborah Yates, respiratory physician and subject matter expert.  

 Respiratory Health Standard second edition.  

The Respiratory Health Standard, first released in August 2024, has now undergone a comprehensive 12-month review.  

The second edition of the Respiratory Health Standard introduces several key changes to improve the accuracy of respiratory assessments, streamline clinical pathways, and ensure alignment with the latest scientific evidence. 

It has been reviewed and endorsed by the Standing Health Committee, Professor Deborah Yates, the Coal Services Clinical Governance Committee and an independent occupational physician.