Mining and Minerals

Dust Control and Occupational Hygiene in Mining

Occupational lung disease is diagnosed decades after the exposure that caused it, which removes the feedback that makes other hazards self correcting and leaves control entirely dependent on measurement. This course provides the measurement and the controls. Delegates work through the agents present on a mine: respirable crystalline silica, coal dust, diesel particulate, welding fume, noise and heat. Health effects and the exposure route for each are covered. Occupational exposure limits and what compliance with one actually means are addressed. Monitoring is covered practically: personal sampling, similar exposure groups, sampling strategy and statistical interpretation, since a single sample proves very little. Control is worked through by hierarchy, covering water suppression, ventilation, enclosure, substitution and, last, respiratory protection with the fit testing it requires. Medical surveillance and its interpretation follow. Records and reporting obligations are addressed. The course closes on building a hygiene programme and on demonstrating control to an inspector.