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Mining Contract: Canopy Air Curtain to Reduce Respirable Coal Mine Dust Exposure for Shuttle Car Operators
Keywords: Respirable dust Shuttle cars
This page is archived for historical purposes and is no longer being maintained or updated.
Contract #
200-2015-63485Start Date
8/12/2015End Date
2/12/2018Research Concept
Past research has demonstrated that canopy air curtain technology has successfully reduced respirable dust levels for continuous miner operators and roof bolter operators. The air curtain technology captures a portion of the mine air, passes this air through a filter, and then blows the filtered air over the equipment operator from a canopy-mounted plenum. This protection could be extended to shuttle car operators by developing a canopy air curtain system for shuttle cars that will reduce the operators’ respirable dust exposure.Topic Area
Respirable Dust
Contract Status & Impact
This contract is complete. To receive a copy of the final report, send a request to mining@cdc.gov.
Coal workers’ pneumoconiosis (CWP), or “black lung,” is caused by the inhalation of respirable coal dust. This is a disabling and potentially fatal disease which has no cure. To prevent the occurrence of CWP, worker overexposure to respirable coal dust must be eliminated. Coal mine operators implement engineering controls as the primary means of limiting airborne respirable dust levels and worker exposures.
A review of past field study results shows that underground shuttle car operator is an occupation that can have high respirable dust exposures, especially on mining sections that use blowing face ventilation systems. Data collected by NIOSH researchers shows that shuttle car operator dust exposures averaged 1.96 mg/m3 during the first 20 feet of extended cuts, and 2.32 mg/m3 during the last 20 feet of these cuts. Also, elevated dust concentrations may be occurring on blowing faces during tramming, because the haulage path often routes through return air.
Canopy air curtain technology has successfully reduced respirable dust levels for continuous miner operators and roof bolter operators. In order to extend this protection to shuttle car operators, the Office of Mine Safety and Health Research (OMSHR) contracted with Marshall University to design, fabricate, and demonstrate a canopy air curtain system for shuttle cars that will reduce the operators’ respirable dust exposure. The contract specifies that the components be protected from damage and the system must not hinder the performance of the operator or the specifications of the shuttle car. Finally, the system must be able to receive approval from the Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) for operation in underground coal mines.
The first prototype of the shuttle car air curtain has been assembled and initial testing is underway. After the initial testing is complete and a final design report has been accepted by NIOSH, the shuttle car canopy air curtain is to be delivered to the Pittsburgh Mining Research Division for testing in the continuous miner dust gallery before being tested in an active underground coal mine.
See Also
Dust Considerations When Using Belt Entry Air to Ventilate Work Areas
Dust Underfoot: Enclosed Cab Floor Heaters Can Significantly Increase Operator's Respirable Dust Exposure
Field Investigation to Measure Airflow Velocities of a Ram Dump Car Using Circular Routing at a Midwestern Underground Coal Mine: A Case Study
Field Investigation to Measure Airflow Velocities of a Shuttle Car Using Independent Routes at a Central Appalachian Underground Coal Mine
Improving Silica Dust Control Through Targeted Research
Investigation of Ampacity Derating Factors for Shuttle Cars Using Fiber Optics Technology
Laboratory Testing To Quantify Dust Entrainment During Shield Advance
Technology News 463 - Machine-Mounted Continuous Respirable Dust Monitor
Technology News 509 - A New Method to Clean Dust From Soiled Work Clothes
Whole-Body Vibration Exposure Comparison of Seat Designs for Low- and Mid-Seam Shuttle Cars in Underground Coal Mines
Page last reviewed: December 17, 2021
Page last updated: December 17, 2021
Content source: National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Mining Program
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