Coal Miners: Things to Expect in Your Coal Board Medical

Health and safety in the workplace are of huge importance in the Australian coal mining industry. Hence, coal health services.

This should be the case in every workplace all over the world, especially in the mining industry, but the Queensland Government, specifically the Department of Natural Resources and Mines, practices firm implementation that every coal miner is highly protected and at their best health before they could ever enter the quarry.

So, today, you will learn the things to expect in the QLDcoal board medical examsuch as how it works and the tests involved in the process.

Also, it is important to remember that employers are required to have their new employees complete the requirements and tests of the coal board medical. Plus, their tenured employees must also undergo a new coal board medical exam at least once every five years.

However, coal miners who may be recovering from injuries are not expected to undergo the periodic health examinations until they have fully recovered.

Take note that the periodic examinations are required by the Coal Mine Workers’ Health Scheme - found under the Coal Mining Safety and Health Regulation 2001. Click here Resile

This is why having coal health services in the workplace is very convenient and beneficial to the business. 

Now, if you are an experienced coal miner but you are changing employers, you will have to take a new coal board medical exam before starting work with your new employer.

The Examination Process

The first step is a referral. So, you go online and log on to Carelever which is a platform used for tracking occupational health services.

Second, Carelever will request your details in Section 1 so make sure to provide all correct details.

Next, you will receive a text message requesting for your availability.

Fourth, you will be booked for an appointment once your availability and location are confirmed. The appointment is usually booked within 8 business hours and then you will receive an appointment reminder within 24 hours through text message.

The fifth step is the medical assessment and then you will be required to upload the results of your chest X-ray to Lungscreen portal which will do a second reading and the process might take 2 to 4 weeks.

Finally, the results and these are reviewed by a consultant occupational physician who will complete a summary report for your fitness to work and this report also called ‘Section 4’ which will be submitted to your employer.

Tests Involved In the Medical Assessment

If you’re anxious about medical examinations, it helps to know what will you be up to before submitting yourself to a physician. These are the tests involved in the coal board medical exam:

    Eye Test

    Spirometry Test

    Respiratory Test

    Auditory Perception Test

    Auditory Canal Exam

    Cardiovascular Exam

    Musculoskeletal Exam

    Stomach Exam 

    Skin Test

    Chest X-ray

    Medical Background Check

    Instant Alcohol & Drug Test (not mandatory but may be required by some mining companies)

Now, if you’re ready to take the medical examination, here's a list of coal board medical locations.

On the other hand, if you are an employer and you want to provide the highest quality of protection to your workforce by regularly looking after their health and by providing onsite or workplace health services…

...and most importantly, providing treatment and rehabilitation services to any employee who needs it, we recommend that you consider getting coal health services that can catch up to the needs and demands of the nature of your work.