Coal Mine Workers’ Health Scheme

The Coal Mine Workers’ Health Scheme (CMWHS) is a legislated program designed to protect the respiratory health of workers in Queensland’s coal mining industry. Under this scheme, all coal mine workers are required to undergo regular health assessments — including chest X-ray screening — to detect occupational lung diseases early and ensure appropriate medical follow-up.

Lungscreen is proud to be the only organisation appointed by the Queensland Government to deliver dual-read ILO screening services under this scheme.

Who Needs to be Screened?

All coal mine workers in Queensland — including surface and underground workers — must undergo a health assessment:

• Before starting employment
• At least every 5 years during employment
• When retiring
• Upon request (voluntary assessments)

What Does the Health Assessment Include?

Each assessment is completed by an Approved Medical Adviser and includes:

• Lung Function Test (Spirometry)
• Chest X-ray, reported using the ILO Classification System
• Review of occupational and medical history
• Assessment of respiratory health risks

Why Dual Reading of X-rays Matters

To improve accuracy and reduce the risk of missed diagnoses, all chest X-rays must be read twice — a process called dual reading:

1. First read: Performed by a Lungscreen NIOSH-certified B-Reader
2. Second read: Completed by an independent B-Reader (e.g. UIC)
3. Adjudication: If there’s disagreement, a third B-Reader determines the final report

This process follows international best practice and ensures greater accuracy and reliability.

How the Process Works

1. Registration
   The worker is registered through the Lungscreen portal and issued a Lungscreen ID.

2. X-ray Appointment
   The chest X-ray is taken at an approved clinic. The Lungscreen ID must be embedded in the DICOM® image file.

3. Image Upload
   The referring doctor or clinic uploads the image securely to Lungscreen.

4. ILO Dual Reading
   The image is reviewed by two separate B-Readers. Adjudication occurs if necessary.

5. Report Delivery
   The final ILO report is sent securely to the referring doctor or occupational health provider. Workers can also access their report via the Lungscreen portal.

Why This Matters

Coal workers are regularly exposed to respirable coal dust, which can cause serious lung diseases that often progress silently. The CMWHS ensures:

• Early detection of black lung, silicosis, and related diseases
• Compliance with Queensland legislation
• Peace of mind for workers and their families

Registration

Before your X-ray, you must register with Lungscreen.

• Register here
• Doctors and employers can register workers on their behalf

Registration ensures your image is correctly linked to your Lungscreen ID and tracked through the entire reporting process. You’ll also receive secure login details to view your report once it’s ready.

Need Help?

Contact our team:

• Phone: 07 5376 3333
• Email: info@lungscreen.com
• Or speak to your referring doctor or site health provider