CFMEU district president Stephen Smyth said the incident showed dust levels continued to be a major problem in Queensland coal mines.

“We’ve had 20 diagnosed case of black lung disease but we’re also seeing many workers suffering with other coal mine lung dust related diseases like emphysema,” he said.

“In the past 12 months dust levels have remained well above the legal limit in many Queensland coal mines.

“It is absolutely unavoidable when the government’s inquiry report is handed down next month that we must lower the legal dust limit in Queensland coal mines and introduce an independent system for monitoring and compliance.” 

Smyth said safety had to be the government’s first priority.

 “So long as mining companies are testing their mines dust levels themselves and managing the problem, people will keep getting sick and keep dying,” he said.

“Australia’s coal miners deserve the safest possible conditions at work and mining companies are not properly managing dust levels.

“Coal miners go to work, not to die, and this has dragged on long enough.”

The union is seeking legislation requiring dust levels to be monitored and publicly reported by an independent statutory body – identifying individual mines by name and company.

It is also seeking a lower legal limit on coal dust in line with international best practice.