Medicals are conducted in a non-threatening manner, providing the applicant with the confidence and assurance they need in developing and maintaining good physical and mental health and well-being.

Personnel undergoing either mining medicals or general medicals are requested to come to the surgery promptly for their appointment so that the appropriate forms on their health and past medical problems can be completed. Their vision, lung function, hearing and urine will then be checked before they see the Doctor; this is approximately 45-60 minutes after their arrival and completion of the pre-assessments.

All hearing tests are conducted in a sound reduction booth; the audiogram is computerised and regularly repeats same levels, to prevent cheating or accidental failure to press the confirmation button when the sound is heard. As sound is also transmitted though bone, those who are deaf will hear more outside noises such as air conditioning etc: those whose hearing is good will even hear themselves breathing – the computer audiogram allows for all this!

Urine tests are to check for blood and protein (possible problem with kidney, or bladder), and sugar (detect Diabetes) ONLY. If you are required to have a drug test you will be given special forms explaining all about it and complete a form authorising for us to proceed and for a copy to go to your employer, if they have paid for the test.

Please NOTE: we use special tests detect “adulteration” – the addition of masking agents etc, to “block” the drug test from working: even to detect if the urine is too dilute to test (drinking lots of water to dilute down any traces of chemicals in the urine that will cause a positive test. If this adulteration test comes up positive then the urine will not be further tested, a positive result will be recorded – and the charge is the same.

For convenience the Queensland Coal Board Medical Form can be downloaded from this site and completed in black pen prior to arrival.

After checking the completed medical history on the medical form we listen to any concerns the applicant may have about their health and address them, as necessary. We ask necessary questions to clarify work history, injuries, time off work, medical problems etc.

Then we conduct a thorough medical according to established guidelines - e.g. Queensland Coal Board Medical protocols, or others, as necessary. Certain medicals may require further tests including drug testing blood tests, x-rays, cardiographs (heart check) and other evaluations as may be required. Some medicals may also require a back or knee assessment which, as it may be fairly strenuous, also assesses cardiovascular fitness.

After the medical examination the employee will advised about their state of fitness and capacity for their job in the workplace. They will be given recommendations about aspects on their fitness for duty and any steps that may be needed to improve their health, or working practices, including any restrictions that may be necessary, and when they will be reviewed again.