Effective dust and noise monitoring essential to worker safety

Mining sites pose higher health and safety risks in the workplace compared to many other work environments, and these risks include dangerous dust and noise pollution.

One of the most common reasons for concern is inhalation of dust in a mine. Coal dust is particularly dangerous because prolonged inhalation causes coal workers pneumoconiosis (CWP), also known colloquially as miner's lung or black lung. Research shows that one in four miners has abnormal lung function, CWP, or both1.

Similarly, inhaled fumed silica - particularly respirable crystalline silica (RCS) - causes an estimated 230 cases of lung cancer in Australian workers each year. RCS is made through typical mining applications such as crushing, drilling, cutting or grinding rocks or soils that contain the predominant silica mineral.

Likewise, the noise caused by the constant use of heavy machinery and drilling can damage the hearing of miners. Often times, this damage goes unnoticed until it's too late and hearing loss or other conditions like tinnitus are due to excessive noise exposure.

Monitoring both dust and noise pollution in mining is therefore essential. Employers need to know that their control measures, including personal protective equipment, ensure the safety of workers. You must also ensure that you are complying with the relevant State or Territory of Health and Safety at Work (WHS) legislation.

Nick Taylor, Australian product manager for gas and industrial hygiene at Thermo Fisher Scientific, says portable instruments are an efficient way to monitor air quality and noise levels in mining sites.

"In the past few years there have been remarkable developments in the technology that enables hands-free dust and noise assessment," said Taylor, who has worked with clients in the Australian mining industry for over 15 years.

“These portable devices are easy to carry, and because they have Bluetooth wireless connectivity, the site security manager can remotely access the report data. In conjunction with the built-in motion sensor, this also enables the manager to remotely check that the device is being used and that it is working properly for everyone. "

As the leader in instrumentation for the Australian mining industry, Taylor says the products Thermo Fisher Scientific offers for monitoring are unmatched.

“The Casella portable devices, for example, are the best solutions for occupational hygiene,” adds Taylor. "They are intrinsically safe with wireless connectivity for easy data access."

Taylor mentions the Casella Apex2 personal air sampling pump, which is designed to monitor worker exposure to dusts, vapors, gases and vapors.

It has an ergonomic, slim design, long battery life and has a high counterpressure capability as well as a motion detector that shows whether the pump has been used.

“The pump is worn on a belt with a hose attached to a sample collection head that sits easily and comfortably over the worker’s shoulder and collects samples during their shift,” says Taylor.

"It's also resistant to IP65, which means it can work in harsher environments, which is a must in Australian mining conditions."

Thermo Fisher Scientific also supplies the Casella Flow Detective sample pump calibration system.

"It's a rugged, portable calibration system for on-site air sample pumps with a wide flow range, so you can calibrate for high-flow dust samples and low-flow vapor samples," says Taylor.

“When used with Casella's Bluetooth-enabled sample pumps, it automatically calibrates your devices wirelessly, which is a fantastic time saver and also ensures accuracy. Ultimately, this makes it easier for employers to maintain their equipment. "

Taylor recommends the Casella noise dosimeter dBadge2 for noise measurement.

"These are also easily carried on the shoulder and simultaneously record and calculate all noise data for each measurement run and report this back to ensure that the workplace is within the regulated parameters," says Taylor.

"These are wireless bluetooth devices too, so remote access is an added benefit."

Finally, Taylor stressed the importance of having effective dust and noise monitoring solutions.

"It's reassuring for employees and regulatory compliance for employers, and technologies like the Casella range of handheld devices and calibration systems simplify the process of collecting, evaluating, and maintaining equipment on-site."

reference

1. Small Mine Size Linked to Pulmonary Function Abnormality and Pneumoconiosis in Underground Coal Miners in Kentucky, Virginia and West Virginia, Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Blackley et al., 2018.
2. Silica dust, Cancer Council, https://www.cancer.org.au/cancer-information/causes-and-prevention/workplace-cancer/silica-dust

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