Mining Publication: An Evaluation of Methods for Controlling Silica Dust Exposures on Roof Bolters
Original creation date: February 2002
Authors: GV Goodman, JA Organiscak
NIOSHTIC2 Number: 20023177
2002 SME Annual Meeting, Feb 25-27, Phoenix, Arizona, preprint 02-163. Littleton, CO: Society for Mining, Metallurgy, and Exploration, Inc., 2002 Feb; :1-5
This paper examines methods for limiting occupational silica exposures for roof bolting personnel in underground coal mining. A canopy air curtain and an air tube were evaluated as means to provide filtered air over the breathing zone of these personnel. Laboratory testing showed that dust reductions beneath the air curtain and air tube approached 60 percent and 40 percent, respectively, with low interference air velocities. The data also showed that dust reductions were highest for positions closest to the device and that these levels decreased with distance. This paper also evaluates a metal rake, a flexible insert, and a rigid insert for cleaning the roof bolter dust collector box. Less dust was produced when using the rigid insert. Surprisingly, the flexible insert was sometimes no better than scraping or raking the dust onto the mine floor. However, little dust got on the coveralls when using either of the inserts.

NIOSHTIC2 Number: 20023177
2002 SME Annual Meeting, Feb 25-27, Phoenix, Arizona, preprint 02-163. Littleton, CO: Society for Mining, Metallurgy, and Exploration, Inc., 2002 Feb; :1-5
- Control of Respirable Dust
- Development of a canopy air curtain to reduce roof bolters' dust exposure
- Field Assessment of Control Techniques and Long-Term Dust Variability for Surface Coal Mine Rock Drills and Bulldozers
- Improving Silica Dust Control Through Targeted Research
- Improving the Performance of Fan-Powered Dust Collectors in Stone-Cutting Applications
- Laboratory Evaluation of a Canopy Air Curtain for Controlling Occupational Exposures of Roof Bolters
- NIOSH Hazard Controls 27 - New Shroud Design Controls Silica Dust from Surface Mine and Construction Blast Hole Drills
- Silica Dust Sources in Underground Limestone Mines
- Silica Dust Sources in Underground Metal/Nonmetal Mines - Two Case Studies
- Silica...It's Not Just Dust