The University of Queensland will receive almost $600,000 in state government funding to research return to work practices for employees with early-stage lung dust diseases. 

It is the second round of funding from up to $5 million pledged towards medical research to improve outcomes for workers in artificial stone production and mining who have silicosis and coal workers’ pneumoconiosis.  

State Industrial Relations Minister Grace Grace says through quick detection, workers in the early stages of dust diseases have a better chance of returning to work.

“We always want to do more,” she said. “Funding this research is just one of the ways the government is working to protect workers from contracting an occupational dust disease and supporting those workers who have been diagnosed.” 

Queensland has banned engineered stone products from July 1.