Control of Airborne Respirable Dust Hazards: A Training Program for Underground Coal Miners The Penn State Miner Training Program University Park, PA 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 Penn State

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 11 COAL MINE DUST SAMPLING PROCEDURES

Monitoring Exposure And Health  Monitoring Includes:  Monitoring dust levels in the mine workings and in the miner’s breathing zone  Monitoring the health status of the miner population

 To know the level of the contaminant in the mine environment  To know the level of the contaminant in the miner’s breathing zone  To determine the effectiveness of the dust control measures  To fulfill the requirements of the Mine Act for compliance  To know the effectiveness of disease prevention and intervention programs Reasons for Monitoring

Elements of a Monitoring Program  The Program has several elements:  Operator’s Sampling Program  MSHA’s Sampling Program, and Part 90 Sampling Program  Ad Hoc and or Additional MSHA Sampling may be done under Section 103[g] of the Act

 Sampling must be done using approved equipment. The approved personal dust sampler consists of:  a sampling pump  a filter cassette  a sampling head assembly with a cyclone  tubing and clips  Testing and approval of coal mine dust personal sampler units are covered in 30 CFR 74. Approved Sampling Equipment

 The Operator sampling program requirements are specified in 30 CFR, Part 70, Subpart C.  Operators are responsible for collecting the following types of dust samples:  Designated Occupational [DO] samples  Designated Area [DA] samples  Part 90 miner samples Operator Sampling Requirements

 The MSHA sampling program is described in the MSHA Policy Manual  The MSHA program also includes DO and DA samples  MSHA also designates certain work locations on the surface for sampling purposes as Designated Work Positions [DWP] MSHA Sampling Program Details

Learn about the dust sampling procedures at your mine! When? Where? Why? Results?

Personal Gravimetric Sampler for Airborne Respirable Dust

Total Sampling Package Worn by a Miner

Section View of the Cyclone and Respirable Dust Filter

Efficiency of Sampler for Airborne Respirable Dust

Proceed to Section 12 Medical Surveillance