Miners told to get repeat tests after audit exposes black lung bungle

In short: Resources Safety and Health Queensland says an audit has found a 30 per cent error rate in tests done by a spirometry company in Mackay in 2023. Spirometry testing is used to identify breathing impairment seen in black lung disease. What’s next? More than 130 coal miners affected by the failure are being contacted by phone and post. A black lung testing bungle has been exposed in Queensland, where 135 coal miners have been told they need to undergo repeat testing for the deadly condition. An audit by Resources Safety and Health Queensland (RSHQ) revealed a 30 per cent error rate in lung function tests that were conducted by a spirometry company in Mackay last year. The medical company, which RSHQ has not named, has been suspended for six months for providing substandard tests. Spirometry testing is used to identify breathing impairment seen in black lung disease, which is caused by long-term inhalation of coal mine dust. RSHQ health strategy and compliance director Patrick Jensen said all affected coal miners had been telephoned and follow-up letters were sent on Wednesday. He said their employers and doctors were also contacted. “We’re recommending all those affected workers undertake repeat spirometry...