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The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)





Mining Project: Improving Coal Dust Explosion Hazard Assessment Strategies
Keywords: Coal dust Risk analysis Rock dusting
This page is archived for historical purposes and is no longer being maintained or updated.
Principal Investigator
Marcia L. Harris -  Request informationStart Date
10/1/2010End Date
9/30/2015Objective
To eliminate coal dust explosions in underground coal mines.Topic Area
Explosion Prevention
Research Summary

This project had six research aims, as follows:
Re-examine combustible dust assessment procedures used by the Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) and the mining industry for their efficacy in view of modern mining practices.
Examine the impact of variations in rock dust properties and application practices and how these variations may influence inerting effectiveness.
Examine the efficacy of the Coal Dust Explosibility Meter (CDEM) as a compliance tool.
Ascertain the effectiveness of rock dust that is wetted, then dried, in suppressing coal dust explosions and recommend solutions to the caking issue.
Identify potential deficiencies in the current coal dust and rock dust definitions per 30 CFR 75.2.
Develop guidance for practices that effectively distribute rock dust using existing ventilation and rock dusting equipment.Underground coal dust explosions are highly destructive and often result in a significant loss of life. A primary defense against such dust explosions is application of rock dust to inert accumulations of explosible coal dust. Although past work by NIOSH justified and subsequently resulted in an increase in the incombustible content requirements in all underground airways, problems continued to exist in the uniformity of rock dust sampling procedures, the adequacy of rock dust performance, and continuity of rock dust application.
This research effort developed empirically based recommendations for changes to the current combustible dust sampling protocols in U.S. underground coal mines. These protocols included assessments of sample spacing, roof and rib mesh influence, floor dust sampling depth, and use of the CDEM as a compliance tool. As a result, MSHA had revised the rock dust sampling policy and procedure in 2013 to reduce the depth of floor sample, to keep the roof/rib sample separate from the floor sample, and to revise the sampling locations within the entries. This research addressed deficiencies in the current rock dust definition by examining particle size distributions and inerting influences, the tendency for rock dust to form a cake when exposed to water, and an allowance for elevated levels of combustible matter in the rock dust. Anti-caking rock dusts have been developed and findings have been relayed to the rock dust industry through partnership meetings. Based on the research results, this work also suggested a tighter size distribution which includes a minimum surface area value to maintain inerting effectiveness. In the NIOSH IC *Coal Dust Explosibility Meter Evaluation and Recommendations for Application*, the CDEM was recommended as a compliance tool to allow real-time assessment of coal dust explosion hazards in underground coal mines for the prompt initiation of corrective actions.



See Also
Coal Dust Explosibility
Coal Dust Explosibility Meter Evaluation and Recommendations for Application
Coal Dust Particle Size Survey of U.S. Mines
Coal Dust Particle Size Survey of US Mines
Determining Flame Travel Measurements from Experimental Coal Dust Explosions
How Does Limestone Rock Dust Prevent Coal Dust Explosions in Coal Mines?
Mitigating Coal Dust Explosions in Modern Underground Coal Mines
Recommendations for a New Rock Dusting Standard to Prevent Coal Dust Explosions in Intake Airways
Rock Dusting Considerations in Underground Coal Mines
Technology News 515 - Float Coal Dust Explosion Hazards
Page last reviewed: October 22, 2016
Page last updated: October 22, 2016
Content source: National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Mining Program
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