Resources Safety and Health Queensland says an audit has found a 30 per cent error rate in tests done by a spirometry company in Mackay in 2023.More than 130 coal miners affected by the failure are being contacted by phone and post.
RSHQ health strategy and compliance director Patrick Jensen said all affected coal miners had been telephoned and follow-up letters were sent on Wednesday."We're recommending all those affected workers undertake repeat spirometry tests," Mr Jensen said. It found the spirometry practice failed to conduct the tests effectively, failed to identify issues in the test results, and did not maintain accurate comments, which led to incorrect result interpretation.Mining and Energy Union industry safety and health representative Jason Hill said 30 per cent was a "disgusting" rate of failure.
Mr Jensen said the suspension sent a strong message to medical providers about putting the health of coal mine workers at risk through substandard medical screening.