Coal Board Medical Mackay

If you stay in your current job, your coal board medical in Mackay will last up to five years. However, if you move to another company, you will need a new medical each time.

If a medical professional believes you show signs of respiratory illness, or other concerning medical symptoms, you may fail your coal board medical test.

Your employer entirely covers your coal board medical costs under Section 47 (3) of the Coal Mining Safety and Health Regulations 2001.

Most of your coal board medical test will take around 90 minutes. However, your chest x-ray may need to be taken separately, and this will take additional time on top of your standard testing.

Once all information has been received, you’ll receive your results as quickly as possible. To speed this process along, it’s important that you and your employer both give all the information we require correctly and quickly.

You will need to bring photo identification with you to your medical, as well as any eyeglasses and hearing aids if you wear them. We will always recommend that you dress in comfortable, loss-fitting clothes for the coal board medical process.

After your coal board medical, only the “Section 4” is provided to your employer.  This does not contain any of your specific confidential health information. The Section 4 is the final page of your Coal Board Medical, which states whether you are fit for your work position, with recommendations on any restrictions or modifications to your work duties to help keep you safe and healthy.  It also states if you need to have any medical reviews, prior to the usual 5 yearly review.

Preparing for a coal board medical is relatively straightforward. The key is to ensure that you are well-rested, hydrated and have all the necessary information and documentation with you when you arrive. This includes photo identification, any eyeglasses or hearing aids you may need and a complete medical and work history. You should also ensure you dress in comfortable, loose-fitting clothing to make it easier to perform the medical tests. Finally, if you have any concerns or questions about the process, be sure to speak to your employer or the medical clinic ahead of time so you can arrive prepared and confident.

Yes, if you are unhappy with your coal board medical results, you have the right to appeal the decision. To do so, you will need to follow the process set out by the Coal Mine Workers' Health Scheme, which typically involves lodging a written request for review within a specific timeframe after receiving your results. Your request will then be reviewed by a panel of independent medical professionals who will assess your medical records and conduct any necessary follow-up testing to determine whether the original decision was fair and accurate. If the panel determines the original decision was incorrect, you may be granted a new medical or have the restrictions on your work duties lifted.

During a coal board medical, you can expect to undergo a range of health assessments designed to evaluate your physical and mental health, as well as your ability to work safely in a coal mine. The tests will typically include a hearing and ear test, an eye test, a skin and abdomen examination, a respiratory examination including spirometry, a chest X-ray, a cardiovascular and musculoskeletal examination and a urinalysis. The medical professional conducting the assessments will also take a full medical and work history to identify any existing medical conditions that could impact your health and safety in the mine.