dust

The Queensland Government is focusing on mine safety and protection of the Great Barrier Reef in its natural resources, mines and energy budget this year.

The New South Wales Resources Regulator is urging current and former coal mine workers to maintain regular health screening after investigating a former coal mine worker diagnosed with a mixed dust disease in 2017.

Dust particles may be small, but they can cause big problems for the health and safety of workers at mines, quarries, landfills, ports, and in construction and demolition. Engineering controls and education are needed to make sure workers stay safe.

Miners suffer from an increased decline in lung function every year compared to the general population, despite measured concentrates of dust and gases such as silica and diesel exhaust at below occupational standards.

Dust management is an essential component of effective mine site maintenance. Safe to Work talks to ESS training instructor Tom Stahura to find out how it can be kept under control.

A foam dust suppression system manages to significantly reduce workers’ exposure to respirable coal dust where coal, a continuous miner fleet and an underground environment
are involved.

Significant reductions in respirable dust levels have been recorded in Queensland’s coal mining industry, according to the Department of Natural Resources, Mines and Energy (DNRME).