Executives in the resources sector could see up to 20 years in jail if Queensland mine and quarry workers die because of their criminal negligence.

Mines Minister Dr Anthony Lynham recently introduced legislation into Parliament creating the offence of industrial manslaughter, bringing resources workplaces in line with all other Queensland workplaces.

"It is totally unacceptable that workers continue to die in our resources workplaces," said Dr Lynham.

"Queensland already has the toughest mine safety and health laws in the world.

"These laws will give our 50,000 mine and quarry workers the same protections as other Queensland workers.

"These are part of the most comprehensive suite of mine health and safety reforms in two decades," he said.

Under the proposed laws, senior officers of a mine or quarry company can be tried for industrial manslaughter if criminal negligence is proven for a workers death.

Maximum penalties range up to $13 million and 20 years of jail time.

Dr Lynham said the new laws were just part of a suite of sweeping mine safety and health reforms under the Palaszczuk Government.

"The most important product to come off a mine site or a quarry at the end of shift is not minerals, or coal; it's a worker, heading home to family and friends,' he said. "This Labor Government will always act to protect workers."

Those reforms include:

better detection and prevention of black lung, and an improved safety net for affected workers.

increased maximum penalties for offences to $4 million and powers for the regulator to issue fines without going to court.

statewide safety reset sessions for mine and quarry workers to refocus on health and safety.

$35 million to deliver reforms to improve the safety and health of our mine workers.

a commitment to tighter controls on mine dust levels.

legislation to be debated today to establish an independent resources health and safety authority.

There has also been more than 49,000 chest x-rays to ILO (International Labour Organisation) standards, including more than 14,000 by Queensland based Lungscreen Australia.

Leading mine dust lung disease expert Dr Bob Cohen, from University of Illinois, Chicago, said the new health surveillance of coal miners makes Queensland 'the envy of the world'.

"Coal miners and their families should feel comforted that miners' health will be protected through a high quality medical surveillance system, that ensures disease is detected early and the risk of disease progressing to a severe and debilitating stage is thereby significantly reduced," said Dr Cohen said.

"Other jurisdictions including the United States, should strongly consider adopting these changes Queensland has led," he said.

Dr Lynham told Parliament there had been extensive consultation with the Queensland Resources Council, mining companies and unions.