Law firm welcome news on new black lung tests
MAURICE Blackburn welcomes the announcement by the State Government to provide Queensland's coal miners with world-class lung function tests to combat black lung by the end of 2017.
Since May 2015, figures show that 21 Queensland miners have received a coal workers' pneumoconiosis diagnosis, but sadly it is likely that this is just the tip of the iceberg.
As has become evident with black lung through the current parliamentary inquiry, it is likely that there are a number of dust-related conditions still yet to be reported across a range of industries due to the nature of these illnesses, including for workers in coal ports, coal rail and coal-powered station industries.
Investigations remain ongoing through the current inquiry, and it is hoped that further measures can be identified through this process to ensure robust monitoring and regulatory systems are in place to best protect all workers.
JONATHAN WALSH
Maurice Blackburn Lawyers
