Skip directly to site content Skip directly to page options Skip directly to A-Z link Skip directly to A-Z link Skip directly to A-Z link


Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. CDC twenty four seven. Saving Lives, Protecting People
Search
            ×
                        Mining
                        Mining
                            NIOSH
                            All CDC
                    Submit
                For a full list of topics:A-Z Index
                Advanced Search
            Advanced Search


The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)





Mining Project: Respirable Dust Control for Surface Mines
Keywords: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease Coal dust Coal workers pneumoconiosis Dust control Respirable dust 
 Silicosis
This page is archived for historical purposes and is no longer being maintained or updated.
Principal Investigator
William R. Reed -  Request informationStart Date
10/1/2008End Date
9/30/2012Objective
To provide a broad-based approach towards reducing respirable silica dust exposure in surface mining operations through improved understanding of dust generation and transport, improvement of current control technologies, and development of new control technologies.Topic Area
Respirable Dust
Research Summary

This research project aimed to reduce silica exposure in surface mine workers by developing dust control techniques that could reduce dust generation from the drilling and hauling operations. Haul road testing provided information to develop new controls or reinforce existing dust control methods for mine haul roads. A Helmet-CAM task, which involved video dust sampling of mobile workers at the mine site, along with a software analysis of the dust exposure videos, allowed researchers to develop successful dust control techniques for occupations such as laborers, mechanics, welders, etc. Computational fluid dynamics (CFD) were used to identify problematic areas and aid in the development of successful dust controls by allowing simulations at lab facilities. Researchers demonstrated improved dust control technologies at a limited number of mining operations. However, this technology will have application throughout the surface mining industry, as well as the construction and agriculture industries where similar equipment and occupations occur.
This project had four research aims, as follows:
Horizontal air-blocking shelf testing was completed, and NIOSH released publications detailing results (FY2010–FY2011).
In collaboration with CAT and an operating mine site, researchers completed haul road testing for a new water delivery system (WDS) developed by CAT. An analysis of results finalized the hauling task.
The Helmet-CAM test progressed with the development of the EVADE (Enhanced Video Analysis of Dust Exposures) software in FY2011. Using the Helmet CAM technology, video monitoring and dust sampling techniques were tested on selected mobile worker occupations at surface mines (FY2010–FY2012). Work conducted in FY2010 and FY2011 was used to analyze Helmet-CAM data and to investigate potential improvements to the dust sampling methods and the EVADE software, which were finalized in FY2012. Other sites were tested in late FY2011 and into FY2012 to develop cross-cutting dust controls for the entire mining industry. Researchers completed Helmet-CAM testing and respirable dust source identification for the blast crews at several mine sites. The development and establishment of the video monitoring and dust sampling techniques used for Helmet-CAM, the development and debugging of the EVADE software, and the successful testing and identification of respirable dust sources conducted at various mine sites for blast crews concluded this task.
A computational fluid dynamics (CFD) specialist was hired to improve the CFD task schedule. Analysis of the longwall miner, continuous miner, and drill shroud labs progressed and continued through FY2012. In-house airflow analysis was conducted to aid in the improvement and development of dust controls for the continuous miner, with significant work being conducted to model and validate different continuous miner configurations. The introduction of dust particles began during FY2010 and continued through FY2012. The CFD task for this project concluded with the establishment of a functioning CFD modeling/simulation capability at NIOSH. However, CFD is a continuous process, and tasks will be continued under future projects.At the completion of this project, current dust control technologies were improved and new controls had been developed for the drilling, hauling, and labor-intensive operations at a surface mine site.

See Also
Control of Respirable Dust
Enhanced Utilization of Personal Dust Monitor Feedback
Evaluation of the Approach to Respirable Quartz Exposure Control in U.S. Coal Mines
Faces of Black Lung
Improved Dust Control Methods for Longwall Mining
Investigation into Dust Exposures and Mining Practices in Mines in the Southern Appalachian Region
Respirable Dust
Respiratory Diseases
Suggestion of a Cause-and-Effect Relationship Among Coal Rank, Airborne Dust, and Incidence of Workers' Pneumoconiosis
Trend in Black Lung Cases Concerns NIOSH Researchers
Page last reviewed: October 22, 2016
Page last updated: October 22, 2016
Content source: National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Mining Program
Facebook
        Twitter
        LinkedIn
        Syndicate Mining
        Site BrowserSafety and Health TopicsData & StatisticsMethodologyMine DisastersMSHA Data FilesMine & Mineworker ChartsTools & PublicationsTools You Can UsePublicationsNews & ArticlesResearch ProgramNORA Mining CouncilStrategic PlanMining Program, 2019-2023Miner Health Program, 2020-2030ProjectsContractsFunding OpportunitiesMining LinksAbout UsContact NIOSH MiningEmploymentFacilitiesHistoryVisitor Information Respirable Dust
 NIOSH Homepage
 NIOSH A-Z
Workplace Safety & Health Topics
Publications and Products
Programs


About CDC
					Contact Us
					800-232-4636
 Facebook Twitter Instagram LinkedIn Youtube Pinterest Snapchat
 CONTACT CDC
				Contact Us
							Call 800-232-4636
							Email Us
			ABOUT CDC
				About CDC
							Jobs
							Funding
			POLICIES
				Accessibility
							External Links
							Privacy
							Policies
							No Fear Act
							FOIA
							OIG
							Nondiscrimination
							Vulnerability Disclosure Policy
			CONNECT WITH US
				Facebook
								Twitter
								Instagram
								LinkedIn
							Youtube
								Pinterest
								Snapchat
								Email
			LANGUAGES
				Español
							繁體中文
							Tiếng Việt
							한국어
							Tagalog
							Русский
							العربية
							Kreyòl Ayisyen
							Français
							Polski
							Português
							Italiano
							Deutsch
							日本語
							فارسی
							English


U.S. Department of Health & Human Services
			Accessibility
			External Links
			Privacy
			Policies
			No Fear Act
			FOIA
			Nondiscrimination
			OIG
			Vulnerability Disclosure Policy
			USA.gov


Exit Notification / Disclaimer Policy Close
 Links with this icon  indicate that you are leaving the CDC website. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) cannot attest to the accuracy of a non-federal website.
				Linking to a non-federal website does not constitute an endorsement by CDC or any of its employees of the sponsors or the information and products presented on the website.
				You will be subject to the destination website's privacy policy when you follow the link.
				CDC is not responsible for Section 508 compliance (accessibility) on other federal or private website. Website Disclaimers
 Cancel Continue