Coal Board Medicals: Everything You Need To Know

Just like every other high-risk job, mining also requires a set of pre-employment medicals. These are specifically called the coal board medicals as they are unique compared to other pre-employment tests. Every coal mining company is obliged to conduct these assessments for the safeguard of the public as well as their miners.

Everyone entering the coal mining industry must undergo these tests to prove their worth in becoming miners. Since the certificates of these tests expire, the miners must undergo strict medical exams to qualify for the job. Here are all the details you need to know about coal board medicals and what they involve.

When Should You Do The Coal Board Medicals Test?

Coal mining companies globally must ensure that they carry out a health assessment for all their employees, whether new or old hires. Every mine worker should be subjected to these assessments when entering the company and routinely when hired. These assessments are carried out every five years for all employees to ensure the miners are healthy enough to work in harsh mining conditions.

The Coal Board Medicals Test Procedure

These assessments involve the following exams; the results of these are given in more or less than 90 hours.

1. Medical History: A complete medical history is required; this may include recounting past injuries, allergies, medical conditions, chronic illness, etc.
2. Hearing Test/Auditory Canal Examination: Working underground is a challenging task, and to make all miners work in safe conditions, a hearing test is a must.
3. Vision Test: Miners sometimes work in dim lights, with flash and torch lights, which means they need their vision at par.
4. Abdomen Examination: A healthy miner will stay productive and keep his team motivated; hence, the miner’s health is a top priority.
5. Skin Examination: Working underground is harsh on the skin. Hence, a routine skin checkup is required.
6. Respiratory Test: Mining involves dust and debris, which affects the lungs the most. A periodic lung test is also needed every so often.
7. Urinalysis: Urine tests are mainly done to rule out diabetes
8. Cardiovascular System Examination: A healthy heart is as vital as healthy lungs.
9. Musculoskeletal System Examination: This is to test muscle strength
10. Chest x-ray (ILO Standard) reported by Lungscreen Australia.

Why Are These Tests Necessary? 

The Coal Mine Workers’ Health Scheme (CMWHS) determines miner’s physical health and fitness to maintain a safe working environment. They also make the tests mandatory to make sure any or all diseases are caught early and remedied. These tests are repeated periodically to rule out coal mine workers’ pneumoconiosis and silicosis. Here’s how CMWHS makes sure all miners are in great shape,

• Regular screening of coal mine workers is necessary to catch the disease in its early stages.
• Regular follow-ups, diagnosis, and management when needed.
• If any worker has lung issues, they diagnose and limit dust work for such miners.
• Collect and review data to reduce dust exposure.
• Reducing occupational exposure for miners

Who Do The Tests Apply For?

The CMWHS applies to all miners employed at high-risk positions in Queensland coal mines. Apart from that, the miners retiring can also ask for an existing assessment per the scheme.

The Coal Board medicals are mandatory by law; to know more about them, check out more information on our blogs.

What Are The Test Requirements?

Both the employers and the miners must undergo the Coal Board Medicals Tests. However, the prerequisite requirements for both of them differ. Therefore, if you wish to get this test done, then your test requirements vary based on whether you are an employer or a miner.

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Therefore, the test requirements for both of these parties are:

Test Requirements For Employers

Employers wishing to take the Coal Board Medicals test must ensure the following  requirements are met before the test:

1. Employers must start the CMW Health Assessment Test using the Reshealth Portal on their official website. There, you must go to the Employers section and fill out the form.
2. Once you finish filling out the form in the Reshealth Portal, contact them (the phone number is given at the bottom of the form) and book an appointment.
3. Finally, you must provide a Purchase Order. Alternatively, you can provide payment details as well.

Test Requirements For Miners

Miners who wish to take the Coal Boards Medicals Test have to follow a lengthier process than what’s above.

Therefore, employees must ensure that the following requirements are met before taking this test:

1. First, go to the Reshealth Portal.
2. Then, go to the Lungscreen Portal and register for Lungscreen Australia.
3. Soon, you will get an appointment letter or email tatting the data of your test.
4. On the day of your test, you must carry these three documents with you: your passport, 18+ voter’s card, and your driver’s license for photo ID verification.
5. Next, you must also carry any documents related to the list of ongoing medications or health specialist reports.
6. In addition, bring any glasses or contact lenses that you wear.
7. Moreover, you must wear loose and comfortable clothing. Furthermore, women cannot skirts and dresses to this test.
8. Additionally, if you have previously done a Coal Board Medical test before, bring your Spirometry Test results. If you don’t have a copy of your previous test results, you must request it directly from the RSHQ. However, do so beforehand since getting a copy of your previous results can take up to 10 business days.

When Do You Get The Test Results?

After you are done with the Coal Board Medicals test, your test reports will be sent through the Reshealth Portal. However, before it gets sent to you, the AMA will review your reports before finalizing your Health Assessment.

Moreover, there are some steps you can take to get your results earlier. They are:

1. First, ensure that all information you enter on the Reshealth Portal is correct and up to date.
2. Next, ensure that all information you enter on the Lungscreen Portal is correct and up to date.
3. In addition, ensure that the payments for these tests are made without any delay and you have all the receipts with you.
4. Moreover, whenever you are booking an appointment, ensure that your name and birthdate information are correct. Therefore, ensure that they match your name and data as per your verification ID (passport, Voters Card, Driver’s License)

Conclusion

If you are a miner in Australia, getting the Coal Board Medicals examination is a necessity for your well-being. Taking this test ensures that you are in your best health for working in the mines and that you do not suffer from complications of any kind.

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