This is the first case of pneumoconiosis reported in a NSW coal mine worker since the 1970s, a record the state was justifiably proud of, especially as the disease has been widespread in Queensland.

The person affected worked in a number of NSW open cut mines before leaving the industry in 2014.

Resources Regulator chief compliance officer Lee Shearer said one case of black lung was one too many, despite NSW being free of the disease for decades.

“The priority is to ensure the worker is getting the best possible level of support and care, and as part of this process I ask that we respect the worker’s request to maintain their absolute privacy,” he said.

“Further, the Major Investigation Unit of the Resources Regulator is investigating how this case has happened and if there have been any breaches of the work health and safety laws.

“If breaches of the work health and safety laws are identified, enforcement action will be taken. This investigation can also determine if there are learnings or changes to our practices that will reduce the chance of further cases developing.”

Coal Services CEO Lucy Flemming said while there was no indication of any other coal worker pneumoconiosis cases in NSW, coal mine workers past and present could contact Coal Services Health if they had any questions or concerns or to arrange a medical.

Shearer said NSW had a stringent regime to protect workers in the coal mining industry.

“Our approach is a combination of the most rigorous coal dust exposure limits in Australia, legislated requirements for achieving minimum standards of ventilation, monitoring of airborne contaminants in the worker environment and prescribed worker health monitoring regimes for exposure to airborne dust,” she said.

“Workers receive periodic health surveillance every three years. Outside of the placement, medical assessments are undertaken for all coal mine workers prior to commencing employment and ongoing assessments are offered to workers after they leave the industry.

“Workers’ health is the absolute priority and this latest news only serves to demonstrate the utmost importance of such strict regulations.”

NSW has a comprehensive regulatory scheme in place under the Department of Industry’s Resources Regulator, the industry body Coal Services and specific health and safety legislation for mining.

NSW has a long-standing approach to addressing health and safety issues, led by the NSW Mine Safety Advisory Council, a ministerially appointed council that comprises representation from government, mining industry employers, unions and independent experts.

The council has also established an airborne contaminants sub-committee to look at issues involving dust.

Mixed dust coal workers pneumoconiosis may have a rapid onset and is caused by prolonged and close exposure to respirable crystalline silica and respirable coal mine dust.

“Coal Workers Pneumoconiosis is a preventable disease if appropriate dust control, atmospheric monitoring and worker monitoring measures are in place at mines,” Shearer said.

“The NSW model of prevention, detection, enforcement and education is essential in protecting workers in the NSW coal industry from harm in the future. Controlling dust exposure, monitoring and ongoing health surveillance are vital components of the prevention and detection strategies that are in place and enforced in NSW.”

Flemming stressed the importance of regular health surveillance for all current and former NSW coal mine workers.

“Prevention and education is the key – mine operators must have strong dust elimination and mitigation controls in place, workers should wear personal protective equipment and attend medicals even after they leave the industry,” she said.

Flemming reiterated the work Coal Services has been doing with all key stakeholders to strengthen the NSW model to ensure best practice and focus on prevention through education programs, rigorous health surveillance and research.

“Our primary focus for the immediate future is working together to provide the appropriate care, support and best possible medical attention to the affected worker,” she said.