Preventing Silicosis in the Mining Environment

1.Prevention of Silicosis to Improve Mine Workers Health and Quality of Life. 2. Compliance with MSHA respirable dust regulations. Importance of Respirable Dust Control

Silicosis One of the worlds oldest occupational diseases dating back to ancient Greece Common names: grinders asthma, grinder’s dust consumption, mason’s disease, miner’s asthma, potter’s rot, stonemason’s disease. Considered serious health threat in 1930’s – major focus of federal, state, and professional attention

Effects of Silica (Quartz) Lung tissue becomes scarred due to silica being trapped and fibrous tissue developing over it

Typical Quartz Content in Rock TypePercent Quartz Granite10% to 40% Shales22% average Sandstone70% average

PREVENTION MEASURES

Prevention Measures Ventilation Assure that plan requirements are being followed. Do they appear to be adequate? Is the air carrying the dust away from miners. Example - was the section just rock dusted with men going to work in it? Limit exposure in work areas downwind of cutting, mining, loading, and bolting operations

Prevention Measures Scrubber – check air quantity at the end of curtain with CM in place with scrubber off and scrubber on to assure the air quantity is within the scrubber’s range. Longwall – ensure air flow prevents dust exposure to the shearer operators and shield setters

Prevention Measures Water Sprays Is the material damp as it is being loaded? Are water spray types and patterns providing good water coverage where material is being cut or transferred? Are sprays provided to prevent rollback? If so, are they effective?

Prevention Measures Section Mobile Equipment –Continuous Miner Sprays on Scrubber Air Bits Cleanliness Cut sequence – undercut rock

Prevention Measures Scrubbers –Assure the duct work and inlets are clean and in good condition –Screen not damaged (no holes in it) –Screen fits duct ( proper size) –Screen spray operating and covering entire screen –Screen cleaned at proper intervals

Prevention Measures Scrubbers –Screen replaced at start of shift clean / dry screen –Full traverse reading on record and in compliance with plans –Center line reading above minimum

Prevention Measures Section loading points –Feeder Crushers »Sprays »Belt air direction

Prevention Measures Belt Transfer Points –Spray bars »Belt damp

Prevention Measures Curtain / Tubing Maintain set back per plan Properly installed –Tubing joints in good condition / connections tight –Curtain properly hung and in good condition

Prevention Measures Section Mobile Equipment –Roof Bolter Air Dust Boxes - Cleaning Drill Steels – plugging at start of drilling Cleanliness

Prevention Measures Roof Bolter Dust Collection System Maintenance Filters – cleaning & seal Hoses Dust box Water box Plugged drill steels Dust residue in muffler outlets (contamination) Dust from bolter suspended in the air

Prevention Measures The vacuum setting used for testing is based on blower performance (check your parts manual for your specific blower). This vacuum setting is stamped on the dust approval tag that is usually located in the tram deck. This is the minimum vacuum that can be used with the dust approval.

Prevention Measures Roof Bolter operator Cleaning dust boxes –In low velocity areas –Dumping - Handling –Bagging – Handling

Prevention Measures Section Mobile Equipment –Shuttle Car Roadways Ventilation devices Cleanliness-

Prevention Measures Outby Mobile Equipment –Scoop / Rubber Tired Mantrips Roadways Ventilation devices Cleanliness

Prevention Measures Body Positioning –CM Operators –Roof Bolters

Prevention Measures Hanging Curtains –Cleanliness – hang from intake side –Properly hung Tight to roof Proper area for air flow Proper overlap

Prevention Measures Proper wearing of pump –Are clothes clean? –Location Do not cover, turn over or t amper with the sample head. –Time of operation –Operated portal to portal

Prevention Measures Environmental Equipment Cabs Gaskets / Latches in good condition Cab Clean Windows sealed Pressurized Heating / Air conditioned to keep doors closed