silica

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.

There’s a way to avoid being harmed by mine dust including crystalline silica on the east coast and asbestos fibres on the west coast. Breathesafe director Nicholas Johnstone tells Safe to Work about the solution.

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).