University of Queensland research is at the forefront of finding ways to improve the return to work for people diagnosed with dust lung disease. A research team, led by Nikky LaBranche from UQ's Sustainable Minerals Institute, has been awarded $567,473 from the Queensland Government to review and make recommendations to improve the pathway for those returning to work after diagnosis. Ms LaBranche said the three-year project would start with a review of the current return-to-work pathways available for workers diagnosed with an early-stage dust lung disease, such as silicosis or coal worker's pneumoconiosis (black lung).
Being diagnosed with an occupational dust disease can have a huge impact on people's lives, and it can have dire consequences. For those with an early-stage diagnosis who are able return to work, it's important they are supported throughout the process and have a safe and dust-free work environment. We hope to conduct 120 interviews with workers, return-to-work coordinators, occupational physicians, regulators, and others to find out what is working and not working.
We'll also analyze alternative work options to see if there are any obvious low-dust places within their industry that would be suitable for workers." Nikky LaBranche from UQ's Sustainable Minerals Institute The research will focus on workers in both mining and artificial stone industries. "In the mining industry there are ways for workers to stay on in more administrative-focused positions – and.