Sharp rise in coal workers’ pneumoconiosis (black lung) cases prompts new campaign

The true number of coal workers’ pneumoconiosis cases is considered to be underestimated because it was not mandatory to report figures until 2019.

A sharp increase in coal workers’ pneumoconiosis (black lung) and silicosis cases has sparked a new occupational lung disease awareness campaign.

Safe Work Australia’s Clear Air Clean Lungs campaign will run until December 2021.

Its chief executive Michelle Baxter said the Occupational lung diseases in Australia 2006-2019 report highlighted concerning figures about new cases.

It noted the latest report from the Department of Natural Resources Mines and Energy had identified 40 black lung cases diagnosed since 1984.

The report also identified seven cases of silicosis, six cases of other mine dust lung disease and five black lung cases in the 2019 financial year.

“Despite this recent spike in CWP in Queensland, the long-term data from Coal Services 2010 annual report states that there have been no new cases of CWP in NSW since the 1980s,” the document stated.

“The number of cases referred to above probably underestimates the burden of (coal mine dust lung diseases), as it has not been mandatory to report CWP or other pneumoconioses in Australia until July 1 2019 when mandatory reporting for occupational lung disease came into effect in Queensland.”

Safe Work Australia's Clean Air Clean Lungs campaign.

Ms Baxter said occupational lung disease continued to be a major work health and safety concern in Australia.

“Not all hazards in the workplace are visible. Dusts, gases, fumes, or vapours can be invisible to the naked eye but can cause serious lung diseases,” she said.

“It’s incredibly important to know what hazards exist at your workplace and how to eliminate and manage them.”

For more information about the campaign, visit here.