Black lung workers compensation approval a relief for former Queensland coal miner
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A central Queensland coal miner suffering from black lung disease says it is a huge relief to have his workers compensation claim approved.
Key points:
- Anglo American will not oppose compensation for Keith Stoddart
- Mr Stoddart faced a black lung Senate inquiry earlier this year
- Appeal likely for Ipswich worker refused compensation
The miners union said it was the first time compensation had been approved for black lung, a chronic disease also known as coal workers pneumoconiosis.
Keith Stoddart from Middlemount was diagnosed with the debilitating condition last year and is one of six people confirmed to have contracted the disease.
Earlier this year, Mr Stoddart told a Senate inquiry into the re-emergence of the disease that it had a massive impact on his health and marriage.
He said the approval of compensation was a significant milestone.
"It's very important for that because it's not been easy and for them to admit that the black lung is back again, I think that's a big step," he said.
"That's a big weight off my mind. At least we know that they've recognised it, not only for me but for everyone else coming through."
Mr Stoddart told the inquiry he found it hard to walk and do everyday activities because of breathing problems.
He said the decision of his employer, Anglo American, not to oppose his claim was a relief.
"At least I know they've recognised it and I'm not going through all this for nothing," he said.
"I just was told there's not black lung anymore when I first started and then they were just blaming my emphysema and whatnot.
"Then when I had all these pains they thought it was lung cancer and now I know that this is what I've got.
'Compensation doesn't give people their lives back'
Steve Smyth from the Construction Forestry Mining and Energy Union (CFMEU) welcomed the approval.
"As far as the level of impairment and the type of claim, that's unsure to us at this stage, but obviously we welcome that his claim's been accepted," he said.
"He's been to hell and back unfortunately with trying to get that claim accepted.
"Compensation goes nowhere to giving these people back their life, you know, their health, but it's a good start.
"I'm sure any of them would give that up to have their health back and not been exposed to high levels of dust, or this disease."
Mr Smyth said an appeal would likely be launched for Ipswich worker Percy Verrall, whose workers compensation claim was rejected.
The State Department of Natural Resources and Mines said six Queensland mine workers had been diagnosed with black lung since May last year, after the disease was thought to have been eradicated in the 1970s.
But Mr Smyth said the union knew of at least eight confirmed cases, with a 40-year-old contractor told last week he had early signs of black lung.
He said the issue was very widespread, especially in the underground sector.
The Queensland Resources Council has previously dismissed those claims, saying the union is scaremongering.
Topics: mining-industry, respiratory-diseases, environmental-health, health-policy, occupational-health-and-safety, mackay-4740, brisbane-4000
