At Lungscreen, our first and foremost consideration is the welfare of Australian industrial workers. We are proud to offer an all-inclusive lung screening and registry service for workers and employers in the coal and mineral mine and quarry industries.
Our chest X-ray screening program allows for occupational lung diseases to be diagnosed and treated early.
The Lungscreen difference is our collaboration with radiologists to provide an internationally recognised occupational lung screening and reporting program.
We take high-quality X-rays and imaging from radiologists around Australia, and report using the International Labour Organisation (ILO) standards.
Achieving our level of international certification requires a unified vision aligned with an innovative and dedicated team of lung specialists.
All of our radiologists are NIOSH B-Reader approved, fellowship trained and accredited to the highest standards set by The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Radiologists (RANZCR).
We report every abnormality to the referring clinician and occupational health specialist.
All incidental abnormal findings are also reviewed by our clinical team and communicated to the referring practitioner.
Occupational lung diseases affect the respiratory system.
These diseases include chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, silicosis, emphysema, diffuse dust-related fibrosis and the fibrotic lung diseases of coal workers' pneumoconiosis (CWP), as well as the most severe form, progressive massive fibrosis (PMF).
These diseases can be caused by inhaling respirable mine dust such as silicates, carbon and quartz.
Coal workers’ pneumoconiosis (or black lung disease) is caused by prolonged exposure to respirable coal dust. If a worker is exposed to high concentrations of coal dust over several years, the dust collects in the alveoli (air sacs) of the lungs and cause lung tissue scarring. This reduces the elasticity of the lung. If enough scar tissue forms, lung function is seriously reduced.
The Queensland Coal Mine Workers’ Health Scheme mandates that all Queensland coal mine workers receive a health assessment upon entry to the industry, then at least every five years and upon retirement. The health assessment includes a chest X-ray examination. Your employer is responsible for ensuring the screenings occur and paying for them.
We provide an effective chest X-ray screening program to diagnose and manage occupational lung diseases early.
Queensland legislation requires all coal mine and MMQ workers' chest X-rays be assessed against the International Labour Organization (ILO) standard.
Since 2017, Lungscreen has been the only organisation appointed by the Department of Natural Resources, Mines and Energy to provide this service to coal mine workers across Queensland.
With new legislation for MMQ workers coming into effect in September 2022, Lungscreen’s team of specialists can provide this service for these workers, too.