Statutory and Industry Specific Medical Examinations

Medical Examinations

There is a long history in Queensland of ensuring that the health of coal mine workers is protected from the known health risks that occur in this industry. This started many years ago when the Queensland Coal Board instituted a regular health surveillance of coal mine workers for the purpose of detecting industrial diseases affecting coal miners. This was the origin of the Coal Board Medical. This medical is now administered by Resources Safety and Health Queensland (RSHQ) and is now known as the Coal Mine Worker's Health Scheme. 

This medical looks at the health of coal mine workers and their fitness to perform the inherent requirements of the job. The emphasis is placed on ensuring that the coal mine worker is not exposed to unnecessary health risks and also that any health related conditions that might be caused by their work as a coal miner are picked up early. This system was instrumental in the rediscovery of black lung amongst coal mine workers but when this occurred it became obvious that the system required an update to the standard of health surveillance. 

Since then RSHQ has worked towards improving the quality of the health surveillance provided to coal mine workers. This means that tests such as X-rays, spirometry (lung function tests) which are integral parts of the early detection of black lung now have to comply with quality standards and the Doctors providing the health surveillance have to be approved by RSHQ. 

Both Doctors James O'Regan and Dr Vern Madden are QIP accredited for the scheme, and the Health Advantage is a QIP accredited spirometry practice. 

Both Doctors O’Regan & Madden are approved supervising doctors under this scheme. This means they are able to perform the examinations required for the Coal Board Medical and also provide the review and sign off services for the coal mining companies and their contractors and subcontractors under the rigorous guidelines that have been applied to these assessments. To achieve this accreditation the Doctors have to undergo not just approved training on a regular basis but are also audited on their work. A client can be assured they will get the highest quality of assessment from The Health Advantage.

Mining and Quarrying 

Subsequent to the rediscovery of black lung in Queensland in coal mine workers, the Queensland Government also undertook a review of the assessment provided to mines other than coal mines. Resources Safety and Health Queensland (RSHQ) subsequently initiated changes to this health surveillance scheme aligning the assessment with that provided to coal mine workers, resulting in improved quality of health surveillance to Queensland's other mine and quarry workers. These improved standards for both the assessment and investigations instituted by RHSQ means improved health outcomes for workers in these industries. 

Both Doctors O’Regan and Madden are approved supervising Doctors under this scheme. The scheme itself requires workers in the industry to have regularly health surveillance for the purpose of early detection of dust diseases in this workforce. In offering this service The Health Advantage provides mining and quarrying companies with a quality service allowing them to comply with the legislative requirements for the health surveillance of their workers.