Notify a reportable disease

Why notify

The sooner it becomes apparent that a disease is present amongst mine or quarry workers the sooner the issue can be addressed, which will lead to better health outcomes for all workers. Notifying (reporting) certain diseases to RSHQ is mandatory under the legislation.

When and how to notify

The site senior executive (SSE) must notify that a person who is, was or may become a coal, mineral mine or quarry worker has been diagnosed with a reportable disease. This includes former and retired workers.

As soon as practicable after the SSE becomes aware of the diagnosis, RSHQ must be notified in RSHQ's approved form. An industry safety and health representative (ISHR) or district workers' representative (DWR) must be separately notified through a written notice. The diagnosed worker's identity should only be provided to the ISHR or DWR with the worker's consent.

Information including the name and date of birth of the person who has been diagnosed with the reportable disease must be supplied in the RSHQ approved form.

Some reporting exemptions apply for coal mine SSEs.

Find further information on when and how to notify a reportable disease (PDF, 510KB).

Note: It is an offence for the SSE not to report as required. Given the importance of reporting, these offences attract a maximum penalty of 100 penalty units.

Approved disease notification forms

The following disease notification forms were approved by the chief executive officer of RSHQ:

Reportable diseases

The following diseases and conditions are reportable diseases and must be notified to an inspector of mines.

For all coal mines, mineral mines and quarries:

  • any disease that test results indicate a relevant worker may have contracted as a result of, or because of the contribution of, exposure to an airborne containment at a coal mine, mineral mine or quarry.

Additional prescribed diseases for mineral mines and quarries:

  • a disease (regardless of the seriousness of the disease) that test results indicate a relevant worker may have contracted as a result of carrying out work for which lead health surveillance or biological monitoring under schedule 2E, part 4 of the Mining and Quarrying Safety and Health Regulation 2017 is required
  • all occupational cancers.

SSEs should notify a disease diagnosis even when there is uncertainty whether the disease was contracted as a result of, or because of contribution to, an exposure at a mine and quarry.

Examples of diseases that may be caused by exposure to airborne contaminants:

  • Asbestos-related diseases, including
    • asbestosis
    • benign asbestos-related pleural diseases including, for example, diffuse pleural thickening, and benign asbestos-related pleural effusion.
  • Pneumoconioses, including
    • silicosis
    • coal workers' pneumoconiosis
    • hard-metal pneumoconiosis
    • baritosis
    • siderosis
    • mixed dust pneumoconiosis.
  • Chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases, including
    • chronic bronchitis
    • emphysema.
  • Cancers, including
    • mesothelioma and other cancer of the pleura, pericardium and peritoneum
    • occupational lung cancer.
  • Auto-immune diseases
    • scleroderma (systemic sclerosis)
    • rheumatoid arthritis.
  • Respiratory infections
    • legionellosis
    • silico-tuberculosis
    • pneumococcal pneumonia.
  • Other conditions
    • occupational bronchiolitis obliterans
    • diffuse dust-related pulmonary fibrosis
    • occupational asthma
    • chronic beryllium disease
    • other occupational granulomatous disorders
    • occupational hypersensitivey pneumonitis
    • benign silica-related pleural disease.
  • Last reviewed: 16 Sep 2024
  • Last updated: 26 Sep 2024