How the retired and former worker assessment works
Retired and former Queensland coal mine, mineral mine and quarry workers (former workers) are eligible for a former worker assessment, also known as a lung health check. Former workers can qualify for a free assessment if all of the following apply:
- You have now permanently stopped being a coal mine, mineral mine or quarry worker.
- You were a coal mine, mineral mine or quarry worker for at least 3 years in total over your lifetime, with at least 6 months of this work experience in Queensland.
- It has been at least 5 years since your most recent assessment.
Note: Your most recent assessment can be less than 5 years ago if a doctor has recommended a sooner assessment, as shown in your last health assessment record or a medical certificate.
What does a former worker assessment include
A former worker assessment includes:
- lung function test by spirometry
- chest X-ray dual-read to ILO standards by B-readers approved by Resources Safety & Health Queensland (RSHQ)
- health examination with a RSHQ-approved doctor
- and
- subsequent diagnostic assessments and reviews, if required, as recommended by the RSHQ-approved doctor and in accordance with the Mine dust lung disease clinical pathways guideline (PDF, 798KB).
Applying for a former worker assessment
Retired and former Queensland mine and quarry workers are encouraged to contact the Mine Dust Health Support Services (MDHSS) to discuss eligibility and how to apply for a former worker assessment, via:
- phone: 1300 445 715
- email: info@minedusthealthsupport.com
- website: Miners' Heath Matters.
The MDHSS, a joint initiative of RSHQ, WorkCover Queensland and the Office of Industrial Relations, provides confidential information on the former worker assessment, as well as information on current and former mine and quarry workers, and their families, on respiratory health screening, compensation and support services if diagnosed with a mine dust lung disease.
You can also apply for an assessment using the former worker assessment application form (PDF, 803KB). Send the completed form to FormerWorker@rshq.qld.gov.au. For help completing the application form, contact the Health Surveillance Unit by phoning (07) 3818 5420 or email to FormerWorker@rshq.qld.gov.au.
Completing a former worker assessment
Once deemed eligible, RSHQ will arrange and pay for the cost of your former worker assessment to be completed with an RSHQ-authorised program partner. You will be informed of the available RSHQ-authorised program partners who will arrange your appointments with the relevant service providers including:
- RSHQ-approved fixed clinics which are located throughout Queensland, as well as other states. If you choose to attend an RSHQ-approved fixed clinic your appointments will be arranged at the closest provider to where you reside.
- HEART5 Mobile Health Unit which is operated by Heart of Australia and travels throughout regional and remote Queensland, equipped with state-of-the-art medical equipment to complete your assessment. If you choose to attend HEART5 you will be advised of available dates at a location near to where you reside. Further information on upcoming dates and locations is available on Heart of Australia's website.
Travel expenses
When travelling to and from your appointment(s) as part of your assessment, RSHQ can help with travel expenses, in accordance with the Domestic travel expenses policy (PDF, 219KB). Travel expense reimbursements can be made by completing the Travel expense claim form (PDF, 245KB). For more information on the Travel expenses policy, contact the Health Surveillance Unit on (07) 3818 5420.
Record keeping and reporting requirements
For former mine and quarry workers, the assessment will be completed using the approved former worker assessment form in accordance with section 49F of the Coal Mining Safety and Health Regulation 2017.
When the former worker assessment is complete, the supervising doctor sends:
- the completed former worker assessment form and all associated medical reports to RSHQ (Health Surveillance Unit)
- a copy of the former worker assessment report (section 3 of the form) to the former worker.
The supervising doctor must keep the data on which the assessment was based and a copy of the approved form that was completed for the assessment.