Control of Airborne Respirable Dust Hazards: A Training Program for Underground Coal Miners

1. 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

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

3. RESPIRABLE DUST TRAINING PROGRAM Section 10 DUST CONTROL PLAN

4. Dust Control Plan • In modern longwall and continuous miner sections, a combination of engineering, administrative and personal protective equipment controls are used to reduce ambient concentration and personal exposures. • Under the Mine Act, for every mining operation, a Ventilation Plan must be submitted to and approved by the MSHA District Manager. Dust Control Plan is a portion of the Ventilation Plan. The Dust Control Plan is approved on a mine-by-mine basis.[30 CFR 71.301]

5. The Dust Control Plan is the explicit description of the strategies [i.e. the respirable dust control measures] that the mining operation would follow to control the ambient dust levels and reduce the worker exposure. [30 CFR 71.300]

6. Elements of Dust Control Plan • The dust control plan provides the details of the engineering, administrative and personal protective devices to be implemented to keep ambient concentrations and exposures below mandated levels • The dust control plan identifies the sampling locations for dust monitoring purposes

7. An Example Of A Longwall Dust Control Plan • The Shearer Spray System Specifications: Details of Drum Sprays and Other Sprays such as Shearer-Clearer including Types of Sprays, Number of Sprays, Pressure, and Minimum Number Operating • The Description of the Remote Control Operation of the Shearer • Specifications of the Spray Supply System: Booster Pump, Supply lines, Pressures and Quantities at Various Points • Stageloader Dust Control System including the Enclosures and Details of the Sprays

8. Longwall Dust Control Plan [Continued] • Shield Dust Control System: The Frequency for the Wash Down of the Shields, Hosing Down of the Shield Tips, and any Special Provisions for the Headgate and Tailgate Shields. • Operational Provisions to Reduce Exposure: Shearer Cutting Sequence, The Locations of the Shearer and Shield Operators, Maximum Amount of Time Personnel Downwind of the Shearer or the Shield when Operating.

9. Longwall Dust Control Plan [Continued] Ventilation Controls: Specifications of the Quantity and Velocity of Air at Selected Locations in the Face; Use of Gob Curtain and Wing Curtain; Air Splitting Barriers on the Shearer; Use of Belt Air. Other Dust Control Provisions, if any, such as Water Infusion, Wetting Agents, Intake Air Dust Control, Roadway Dust Control.

10. Longwall Dust Control Plan [Continued] Respiratory Protection: Provisions and Requirements for the Use of Respirators. Use of Personal Protection Equipment such as Powered Air Purifying Respirator [PAPR] by shearer operator or by all miners when working downwind of the Shearer Any other detail as necessary to fully illustrate the dust control plan

11. Longwall Ventilation Plan (Mine A) • Q at face intake = 39,000 cfm • V at shield 15 = 350 fpm (< 100 ft. from head gate) • Vat shield 110 = 350 fpm (<100 ft. from tail gate)

12. Longwall Ventilation Plan (Mine A) • Shearer Sprays

13. Longwall Ventilation Plan (Mine A) • (Continued) Stage loader/Crusher Sprays [all enclosed]

14. Longwall Ventilation Plan (Mine A) • BiDi or UniDi: Various operational schemes. Exposure of shield operators will be minimized in BiDi. • Radio remote control of shearer. Shearer operator upwind. • PPE (respirator or air helmets) are mandatory on the face when downwind of the shearer • A constant pressure pump in the longwall water supply circuit to ensure water pressure. Water consumption (sprays): 81 gpm

15. Dust Control Checklist

16. Longwall Summary

17. An Example of a Continuous Mining Dust Control Plan • Continuous Miner Dust Control: Location, type and number of sprays, pressure and quantity of water flow; machine-mounted scrubbers • Provision of Hoses: Wash down hoses, sprinkler hoses • Roof Bolter Dust Control: Dust collection system operation and maintenance • Sprays on belt lines

18. An Example of a Continuous Mining Dust Control Plan [Continued] • Ventilation Controls: • Single or dual-split ventilation • Air quantity in the face • Face ventilation system [line curtain or tubing] • Belt ventilation • Float Dust Control • Cleaning of Dust Accumulations

19. Proceed to Section 11 Coal Mine Dust Sampling Procedures