KINNECT — Creating Health Certainty at Work
Menu
Pre-Employment Medicals

NSW Order 45 Coal Mine Workers Medicals.

KINNECT supports the health of NSW coal mine workers as an approved provider of NSW Order 45 (formerly Order 43) medicals — covering pre-placement, periodic, review and retirement assessments.

Get a Quote

Approved provider of NSW Coal Industry health assessments. Results submitted to Coal Services on your behalf.

Quick answer

The short version

KINNECT is an approved provider of NSW Order 45 (formerly Order 43) coal mine worker health assessments. Order 45 is the statutory, risk-based medical that NSW coal mine operators must arrange for workers exposed to dust, noise and chemical hazards — for pre-placement, periodic (three-yearly), review and exit/retirement assessments. Our approved medical practitioners issue the Health Assessment Certificate and submit results to Coal Services on your behalf. From 1 January 2026, Order 45 replaces Order 43 with a unified, risk-category approach.

What it is

A statutory medical for NSW coal mine workers.

KINNECT supports NSW coal mine operators and workers with mandatory health assessments under the NSW Coal Industry health surveillance scheme. These assessments are a statutory requirement designed to protect workers’ health and detect early signs of occupational disease arising from hazards such as dust, noise and chemical exposure.

From 1 January 2026, Order 45 — Coal Services Health Monitoring Requirements for NSW Coal Mine Workers replaces Order 43, introducing a unified, risk-based approach that builds on the existing scheme. See the Coal Services Guide to Order 45 for the complete framework.

What’s included

What an Order 45 medical covers.

Order 45 health assessments are comprehensive and risk-based. The exact components are determined by the worker’s assigned risk category, role requirements and exposure history.

  • Medical & occupational history

    A structured review of medical history, exposures and role demands by an approved medical practitioner.

  • Physical examination

    Full physical examination focused on the demands and hazards of the coal mining role.

  • Respiratory function (spirometry)

    Spirometry to monitor lung function for early signs of dust-related disease.

  • Chest imaging

    X-ray or high-resolution CT imaging where appropriate to screen for occupational lung disease.

  • Hearing assessment

    Audiometry to detect noise-induced hearing loss across exposed workers.

  • Vision screening

    Vision testing aligned to the role and any safety-critical requirements.

  • Cardiovascular risk evaluation

    Risk assessment of cardiovascular health relevant to safety-critical and physically demanding work.

  • Musculoskeletal assessment

    Targeted assessment of musculoskeletal capacity for the inherent demands of the role.

  • Urinalysis

    Standard urinalysis as part of the comprehensive health screen.

  • Respirator fit testing

    Optional under Order 45 — quantitative fit testing to AS/NZS 1715:2009 available where required.

A risk-based approach

Order 45 tailors each medical to role and exposure.

Unlike Order 43, Order 45 requires employers to assign a risk category to each worker prior to assessment. That category determines the depth and type of medical testing required, ensuring every assessment is tailored to the worker’s actual exposure and role.

You can find the full risk-category framework on the Coal Services website.

  • Safety-critical

    Roles where impairment could directly cause serious harm — most extensive medical components apply.

  • Safety-sensitive

    Roles with elevated risk requiring targeted screening and surveillance based on exposure.

  • Non-safety-sensitive

    Lower-risk roles where the assessment is scaled to exposure and standard health monitoring needs.

When it’s required

Four assessment types under Order 45.

We deliver the full Order 45 program across the worker lifecycle — from first placement through retirement.

  1. 1

    Pre-placement

    Before commencing a coal mine role or transferring to a new role.

  2. 2

    Periodic

    Every three (3) years to monitor ongoing health against job risk and exposure history.

  3. 3

    Health Assessment Review

    When medical findings indicate the need for further investigation or follow-up.

  4. 4

    Exit / Retirement

    For workers retiring or ceasing coal industry work, so any conditions are identified and managed.

How results are used

A clear, compliant reporting pathway.

  • An approved medical practitioner issues a Health Assessment Certificate indicating fitness for work or any restrictions.
  • Results are submitted to Coal Services in accordance with regulatory requirements.
  • Results are sent to the worker's prospective or current employer.
  • Results support the early detection and management of occupational health conditions.
Why it matters

Order 45 health assessments aim to:

  • Protect worker health
  • Identify early signs of occupational disease
  • Support safe fitness-for-duty decisions
  • Monitor trends over time
  • Ensure compliance with NSW Coal Industry legislation
Order 45 FAQs

Common questions.

Short answers to what we hear most often from coal mine operators and workers.

What is a Coal Mine Health Assessment?

A health assessment under Order 45 is a comprehensive medical evaluation of a coal mine worker's health status to determine fitness for work and to monitor for conditions linked to coal mining exposures. It is required for all NSW coal mine workers and must be completed by an approved medical practitioner.

Who must complete an Order 45 Health Assessment?

A "coal mine worker" includes any person working at a coal mine or coal handling / processing plant with potential exposure to dust, occupational noise or chemical hazards.

What is a Section D?

Once the medical has been completed by an approved medical doctor, the assessing doctor completes a summary report — the 'Section D'. The Section D is the only information an employer receives, unless an Authority to Release form is signed by the worker. The confidentiality of the full medical record is protected by law. The complete medical results are submitted to Coal Services. If you require all sections of an Order 45 medical, please let KINNECT know at the time of engagement.

What is Coal Mine Workers' Pneumoconiosis?

Pneumoconiosis is a series of diseases caused by inhalation of organic or inorganic dusts or chemical irritants, typically from prolonged exposure. Coal Workers' Pneumoconiosis (CWP) is a chronic occupational lung disease caused by long-term inhalation of coal dust. CWP ranges in severity from simple to advanced, with the most severe form being progressive massive fibrosis (PMF). Advanced CWP is debilitating and often fatal.

Is respirator fit testing still required?

Under Order 45, respirator fit testing is no longer mandatory and is an optional component. Where required, KINNECT delivers quantitative fit testing in accordance with AS/NZS 1715:2009 — measuring leakage around the face seal and providing a numerical fit factor to confirm adequate protection for the individual.
Related services

Other pre-employment medicals we deliver.

Looking after a broader workforce? Explore sibling medicals in our Pre-Employment Medicals category.

View all Pre-Employment Medicals
Get started

Starting an Order 45 program has never been easier.

KINNECT can help you schedule pre-placement, periodic and exit assessments, navigate the new risk-based requirements and make sense of every certificate.

Get a quote

Tell us about your workforce and we’ll build a tailored Order 45 program for your operation.

Get a Quote

Talk to our team

Prefer to talk it through? Our team can walk you through Order 45 requirements and clinic options.

Call 1300 546 632

Book a single medical

For individual bookings or small groups, use our Click & KINNECT online shop to book directly.

Book Online
NSW Order 45 Coal Mine Workers Medicals | KINNECT