6th Annual Dust and Respiratory Health Forum

Thank you to everyone who attended the 6th Annual Dust and Respiratory Health Forum - both online and in-person.

We will see you next year on 30 October 2024 - details to come!

The 6th Annual Forum featured the latest research and best practice in the management of respirable crystalline silica dust and lung diseases in the mining, construction, and manufacturing industries and offers a great opportunity for discussion and networking.

See full program information (PDF, 117.8 KB)

Speakers included:

Dr Bob Cohen, Mining Education and Research Center, University of Illinois Chicago
Professor Emily Sarver, Mining and Minerals Engineering, Virginia Tech
Evan Pengelly, Director – Health Surveillance Unit, Resources Safety & Health Queensland (RSHQ)
Jeff Moredock, ISO Cab Standard, Sy-Klone International
Peter Knott, GCG Health Safety Hygiene
Steven Gillies, Queensland Government Office of Industrial Relations (OIR)
Professor Dan Chambers, Tradie Health Institute
Associate Professor Sharyn Gaskin and Dr Chandnee Ramkissoon, The University of Adelaide
Kate Cole, Director, Cole Health Pty Ltd
Nikky LaBranche, Research Fellow - OHS in Mining, Minerals Industry Safety and Health Centre, Sustainable Minerals Institute

The 6th Annual Dust and Respiratory Health Forum is organised by The University of Queensland’s Sustainable Minerals Institute’s Minerals Industry Safety and Health Centre (MISHC).

The University of Queensland logo

Sponsored by:

Resources Safety & Health Queensland and Breathe Safe

Resources Safety and Health Queensland logo

About Annual Dust and Respiratory Health Forum

We are thrilled to announce that in 2025, the Dust and Respiratory Health Forum is moving from The University of Queensland campus to the Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre.

Date: 30 October 2025

The Forum brings together experts from around the world to showcase advancements and emerging trends in the management of dust and mine dust lung diseases. It aims to fosters collaborations and the sharing of best practice to improve the health, safety and treatment options outcomes for mine workers affected by occupational dust lung diseases.

Dust lung diseases can lead to long-term health problems, and they continue to be a significant risk for mine workers around the world. Worryingly, there is still no holistic picture of the overall risk of these diseases or the risk factors in development and progression, which makes the Forum an important opportunity to share knowledge and experience.

The Dust and Respiratory Health Forum is organised by the Minerals Industry Safety and Health Centre (MISHC), part of UQ's Sustainable Minerals Institute and sponsored by BreatheSafe and Sy-Klone.

Thanks to the support of our sponsors we are able to keep the Forum free to attend, ensuring we bring the right people together to drive meaningful change.