Miners speak out about coal dust in Collinsville

Issues raised in evidence from former mine workers included the failure of self regulation to accurately record coal dust levels.

Bob Sawyer Rod McDonald and Garry Suhle give evidence at the Collinsville public hearing into black lung disease. Picture: Peter Carruthers

A QUEENSLAND parliamentary hearing into black lung disease in Collinsville has heard disturbing evidence from retired coal miners including stories of children arriving at school bleeding from the nose and systemic reluctance for mine operators to protect workers.

Issues raised in evidence from former mine workers included the failure of self-regulation to accurately record coal dust levels and a perception that profits were prioritised over the wellbeing of mine workers and the greater population of Collinsville.

Gary Suhle told the hearing that the Glencore mine three kilometres outside Collinsville had spontaneously combusted and that children were turning up at school obviously affected by the contamination in the air.

On contacting the mine inspector he was told: " 'They have got monitors around town. It's not that bad is it'?” he said.

Mr Sule invited the mines inspector to come over to his house in Collinsville and have look for himself.

"It (the smoke) was that thick you were flat out breathing. I said to the mines inspector 'don't worry about it, I will ring Channel, 9, Channel 7 and the ABC and I will get them here when a westerly breeze is blowing',” he said.

"If this was near Brisbane or a major city it would be fixed straight away. The next morning I had the environmental lady and the mine manager knocking on my door wanting to take me for a tour and tell me what they were doing to put the fires out.”

Whitsunday Regional Councillor Peter Ramage worked in the mining industry in Collinsville from 1969 to 1995 and told the panel he had "lost all faith in the system”.

Committee member Coal Workers' Pneumoconiosis Select Committee and member for the Southern Downs Lawrence Springborg admitted the problem of black lung had been "swept under the carpet”.

Mirani MP Jim Pearce questioned Mr Ramage about the issue of retribution from mining companies after workers raised concern about dust levels.

"It's the fear of retribution with the labour hire companies. If someone is continually pushing point to any mining company or manager, somehow they don't get work the next day,” he said.

Mr Suhle echoed this point when he told the committee "if they open their mouths about dust don't bother coming to work the next day.”

”You have got a big problem with the companies. When the coal price was down those companies couldn't give a dam. The amount of dust coming into this town is phenomenal. It's the worst I have seen it in 30 years,” he said.

Further hearings will accept evidence from mine workers in Moranbah on Tuesday November 22 at the Moranbah Workers Club from 6.30 -9pm and the following day from 6 -10pm.

Further hearings will accept evidence from mine workers in Moranbah on Tuesday November 22 at the Moranbah Workers Club from 6.30 -9pm, the following day from 6 -10pm and in Mackay at the Mackay Entertainment Convention Centre on Friday 25 November 9.00am - 2.30pm).