NSW Coal Mining Industry Respiratory Health Standard

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 Mining Industry Respiratory Health Standard (Respiratory Health Standard) provides critical guidance to approved medical practitioners for consistent health assessments and decision-making. In particular, it makes explicit recommendations on which respiratory health investigations are to be carried out to determine a coal mine worker’s lung function and provides clear clinical pathways for the management of identified lung impairment.

Development of the Respiratory Health Standard

The Respiratory Health Standard was developed through the Coal Services Standing Health Committee which includes representatives from Coal Services, the Mining and Energy Union, the External Doctor Network, Hunter and Central Coast Primary Health Networks, mining contractors and a respiratory physician as a subject matter expert. It has been endorsed by the Coal Services Clinical Governance Committee and has been reviewed by an independent occupational physician.