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MINERS HEALTH Mining occupational disease

Heart health for mine workers

heart health

A Queensland Mining Health & Safety Conference has been told that heart health screening for workers has positive outcomes for the community and company employees. In address to this years safety conference at Queensland’s Gold Coast, Dr Rolf Gomes from Heart of Australia told conference attendees that  “1/3 of people have one heart attack and it kills people instantly. Having conversations about heart health must occur in the workplace.” Dr Gomes added that “with respect to Heart disease, if you find things early you can generally fix it.”

Dr Gomes started Heart of Australia with support from key sponsors like Arrow Energy. Heart of Australia delivers specialist medical investigation and treatment clinics to regional, rural and remote area communities across Queensland, including Dalby, Goondiwindi, Stanthorpe, St George, Charleville, Roma, Emerald, Barcaldine, Longreach, Hughenden, Charters Towers and Moranbah. The screening services are performed from from a highly specialised semi-trailers which are equipped with advanced heart assessment and screening technology including stress testing equipment.

Dr Gomes said results of in company programs identified that:

  1. Staff appreciated screening
  2. Staff benefited from the screening
  3. Staff were proud of Arrow Energy’s support

Heart of Australia will soon commence delivery of workplace programs. The workplace based health programs will be launched to help companies reduce cholesterol in their workers. Dr Gomes told the audience “There are longitudinal benefits in managing stress, alcohol consumption and cholesterol reductions.”

Dr Gomes told audiences that mineworkers should be on the lookout for key signs and symptoms like discomfort in their chest (Never assume its  reflux), high blood pressure, family history of heart disease particularly before 60, high cholesterol. If you’ve notched up a few of these a cardiac screening check would be useful.

Dr Gomes said “Mineworker health can have significant financial impacts for companies and communities.”

BREAKING  NEWS: Queenslander Awarded for Contribution to Mine Safety

 

 

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