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 DUSTTRAINING PROGRAM Section 6 GENERIC METHODS OF CONTAMINANT CONTROL

4. Methods for Worker Exposure Control from Health Hazards in the Environment • Engineering Control: The aim is to reduce the concentration in the ambient environment to or below the mandated level • Administrative Control: The worker exposure is controlled through work schedules and operating procedures though the hazards in the ambient environment may not be under control • Personal Protective Equipment [PPE]: When properly worn by the worker, PPE creates a barrier between the hazards in the ambient environment and the worker

5. Control of Dust ExposuresGoals and Means • GOAL – Miners must be able to work over a lifetime without becoming impaired by CWP or any other occupational lung disease • MEANS – Providing and maintaining a work environment where the ambient dust levels are below those mandated by the 1969 and 1977 Mine Acts and regulations [30 CFR]

6. Dust Control Approaches • Engineering Controls or ambient concentration reduction • Administrative Controls or work practices to reduce exposure • Personal Protective Devices or reduce concentration in Inhaled Air

7. Hierarchy Of Control Methods Preferred order of the control methods is: • Engineering controls • Administrative controls • Personal protective equipment (PPE)

8. Mine Act Provisions • The Mine Act requires the provision of PPE to miners where the ambient dust concentration may be higher and prohibits the substitution of PPE for engineering control • Under the Mine Act, the use of administrative control does not reduce the responsibility of the operator to maintain the ambient dust level at or below the mandated levels • In practice, all the applicable methods are used as necessary

9. Respirators • Respirators should not be used as the primary means to control exposure • Engineering and administrative controls should be used first • In order to be effective, the proper respirators must be used for the particular respiratory hazard

10. Value of a Proper Fit • Respirators can be effective in dusty areas that cannot be controlled by other means • You must be "Fit Tested" in order to know that the respirator you are wearing fits properly and provides proper protection • Fit testing involves having you don the respirator then exposing you to a mist of a substance that you can taste

11. Remember… There is more to respirator use than just grabbing one and putting it on! • Correct type? • Donned correctly? • Proper face seal? • User tests? • Fit tested?

12. Training You must also be trained in the proper care and maintenance of the respirator • Install cartridges? • Daily inspection? • Signs of failure? • Cleaning? • Storage?

13. Effect of Facial Hair • Beards affect the way a respirator fits • Facial hair prevents a good seal • Without a good seal, you will not get adequate protection

14. Helmet with a Powered-Air Purifying Device Main filter Safety helmet shell Hinged clear visor Motor and fan assembly Clean air exhaust Pre-filter Contaminated air intake Battery pack

15. Proceed to Section 7 Underground Mining Methods and Sources of Dust