An evaluation of methods for controlling silica dust exposures on roof bolters.
Authors
Goodman-GVR; Organiscak-JA
Source
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
Abstract
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% and 40%, respectively, with low interference air velocities. The data 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 workers coveralls when using either of the inserts.
Keywords
Silicates; Silica-dusts; Underground-miners; Underground-mining; Air-filters; Dust-exposure; Dust-control-equipment; Dusts; Mining-equipment; Mining-industry; Miners; Respirable-dust; Control-technology; Engineering-controls
Document Type
Conference/Symposia Proceedings
Priority Area
Research Tools and Approaches: Control Technology and Personal Protective Equipment
Source Name
2002 SME Annual Meeting, Feb 25-27, Phoenix, Arizona, preprint 02-163
