Collinsville residents watched as the brand-new 34-wheeler travelling respiratory clinic drove through town last month, opening its doors to local retired mine workers to receive testing for mine dust lung disease.
The condition was thought to be eliminated many years ago, but Collinsville resident Steve Malone said it was flagged once again when Construction, Forestry, Mining and Energy Union (CFMEU) District President Stephen Smyth went to a conference in America which offered proof that the disease was still prevalent.
This information led to a Queensland State Government enquiry and after repeat recommendations it became mandatory for mine workers to get x-rays and lung function testing checks every five years.
“This is great news for the younger people, but it means a lot of the retired people, or those that left the mines, have slipped through the system,” said Mr Malone.
It is estimated that 25,000 people may have been missed being assessed for the disease during the gap between testings.
Thanks to the Queensland CFMEU Resource Safety and Health Queensland, I-Med Radiology, and Philips the new purpose-built ‘dust bus’, which features an x-ray and a CT machine, was able to test 74 Bowen residents between Monday, February 14 and Thursday February 17.
The project is operated by Heart Of Australia, a company that take advanced medical equipment to patients in regional areas.
They operate four different trucks and are expected to come to Proserpine soon and also visit Collinsville again within the year.
Mr Malone was a miner for 33 years and says he is happy to chat to anyone who would like assistance with accessing the service.
“I often catch-up with blokes, help them with their application and check if they are eligible,” he said.
“Give me a call and I’ll help if I can.”
To be eligible you need to be permanently retired from the industry and to have not been screened for at least five years.
Steve Malone’s number is 0429 094 857.
The 56 tonne, 26 metre ‘Dust Bus’
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