preventing silicosis in the mining environment. 1.prevention of silicosis to improve mine workers...
TRANSCRIPT
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
Type Percent Quartz
Granite 10% to 40%
Shales 22% average
Sandstone 70% average
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
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
• 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 tamper 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