Control of Airborne Respirable Dust Hazards: A Training Program for Underground Coal Miners Penn State The Penn State Miner Training Program University Park, PA 16802 Raja V. Ramani, Ph.D., P.E, C.M.S.P. Mark C. Radomsky, Ph.D. MPA, C.M.S.P. Joseph P. Flick, M.S., C.M.S.P. March 31, 2003

CENTERS FOR DISEASE CONTROL AND PREVENTION NATIONAL INSTITUTE FOR OCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH GENERIC MINERAL TECHNOLOGY CENTER ON RESPIRABLE DUST PENNSYLVANIA BUREAU OF DEEP MINE SAFETY

RESPIRABLE DUST TRAINING PROGRAM Section 13 IMPORTANT REMINDERS: WHAT YOU CAN DO TO PROTECT AGAINST DUST HAZARDS

Suggestions for All Miners Don’t dry sweep to clean up…it puts dust in the air that you can breathe Use water or a vacuum system with a HEPA filter for cleaning Keep your work area clean—don’t let dust build up

Suggestions for All Miners Do not use compressed air for cleaning clothes or equipment Keep your equipment adjusted Report maintenance or system problems right away

Suggestions for All Miners Wear the recommended approved respirator for the type of respiratory hazards you might encounter When possible, maintain and clean equipment when it’s not operating Maintain adequate ventilation

Suggestions for All Miners Never drill without a working dust control system If you have a wet system-don’t drill dry Ask questions if you don’t understand

Suggestions for All Miners Stay in seam while mining to avoid generating excessive amounts of silica-containing dust while cutting sandstone top and/or bottom Mine and bolt on cycle, to limit the number of times the roof bolter works downwind of the miner Attempt to work upwind of any dust accumulations

Suggestions for All Miners Maintain all water delivery systems Maintain all water sprays Maintain proper direction of water sprays Maintain all line brattice and curtains Maintain all scrubbers Replace cutting bit regularly

Suggestions for All Miners Conduct all required on-shift checks of dust control systems Review the mine ventilation plan Review the results of dust sampling Wear an approved, appropriate, fit-tested respirator

Identify and control the hazards Wear PPE Don’t take chances

Report problems! Make suggestions! Play by the rules!

References and Readings Proceed to Section 14 References and Readings