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Preventing Silicosis in the Mining Environment

Preventing Silicosis in the Mining Environment. Prevention of Silicosis to Improve Mine Workers Health and Quality of Life. 2. Compliance with MSHA respirable dust regulations. Importance of Respirable Dust Control.

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Preventing Silicosis in the Mining Environment

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  1. Preventing Silicosis in the Mining Environment

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

  3. 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 Silicosis

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

  5. Typical Quartz Content in Rock

  6. PREVENTION MEASURES

  7. 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

  8. 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

  9. 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

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

  11. 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

  12. 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

  13. Prevention Measures • Section loading points • Feeder Crushers • Sprays • Belt air direction

  14. Belt Transfer Points Spray bars Belt damp Prevention Measures

  15. 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

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

  17. 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

  18. 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

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

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

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

  22. Body Positioning CM Operators Roof Bolters Prevention Measures

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

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

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

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