Parliamentary inquiry into black lung

The Queensland Parliament has appointed a six-person select committee to examine the outbreak of coal workers’ pneumoconiosis (black lung) in the state.

“An inquiry will add to what we already know from the independent Monash University review and the Senate inquiry,” said the Queensland Minister of Natural Resources and Mines, Dr Anthony Lynham.

The committee will consider the existing legislative and regulatory arrangements to prevent black lung and the roles of government, mine operators and medical advisors, industry health and safety representatives and unions in these arrangements. It will also look into the potential adoption of coal mine dust measurement and control practices.

“The coal industry supports any measures taken to improve screening for the disease, prevention of any future cases and supporting those workers who have been diagnosed with coal workers’ pneumoconiosis,” said Queensland Resources Council CEO, Michael Roche.

Edited by Jonathan Rowland.

Read the article online at: https://www.worldcoal.com/mining/19092016/parliamentary-inquiry-into-black-lung-2016-2441/