{"id":78164,"date":"2020-06-17T10:36:54","date_gmt":"2020-06-17T10:36:54","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/globalroadtechnology.com\/\/?p=78164"},"modified":"2023-06-27T02:02:22","modified_gmt":"2023-06-27T02:02:22","slug":"guidelines-management-respirable-dust-mineral-mines-quarries-queensland","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/globalroadtechnology.com\/guidelines-management-respirable-dust-mineral-mines-quarries-queensland\/","title":{"rendered":"A review of recent updates in the guidelines for management of respirable dust in mineral mines and quarries in Queensland"},"content":{"rendered":"

Queensland has a rich and seasoned mineral mine and quarry industry. Continuous improvement of occupational safety and health-related requirements creates opportunities for embracing more innovative techniques to ameliorate dust-related hazards. Bearing testament to the progressive approach to reducing risks associated with respirable dust particles the Queensland Government recently updated guidelines for mineral mines and quarries under the Mining and Quarry Safety Health Act of 1999. The article seeks to evaluate the past, present and future of dust suppression based on the recent updates to the QGL02 guideline. Whilst we can learn from the past, the present now accommodates other dust control products other than water. The future is even more exciting with the prospect for specific product development of highly efficient dust suppressants<\/a>.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Reviewing Previous Guidelines and Practices<\/b><\/p>\n

Versions one and two of the guidelines for the management of respirable dust in Queensland mineral mines and quarries focused strictly on dust in the form of respirable crystalline silica. Although it causes mine dust lung diseas<\/a>e, exposure to other omitted respirable dust can significantly contribute to the disease as well. The most common form of crystalline silica is quartz, which accounts for about 12% by volume of the earth\u2019s crust and is present in many rocks, waste materials and products from operations in mineral mines and quarries. The majority of mining activities potentially involve direct exposure with overburden and ore containing quartz. Inhalable and respirable silica dust particles penetrate the respiratory system and settle in the alveolar region of the lungs and stimulate inflammation and toxic responses that eventually lead to clinical silicosis<\/a>. The severity of silicosis ranges from acute, accelerated and chronic depending on the concentration and duration of exposure.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Water has been the predominant dust suppressant with some successes based on achieving water droplet size comparable to that of the dust particle for optimal agglomeration. However, this is not always the case in practice as the resuspension of respirable silica dust ultra-fine particles on impact increases the risk of exposure. The limited residual effect due to evaporation of water also means more reapplication is required and the balance between over-application and under-application also creates moisture dependency to maintain its effective use. Although the focus on respirable crystalline silica has yielded fruitful industry legislation in the past the complexity and chemistries of other respirable dust have created the necessity for a third and current version of the respirable dust management guidelines.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The new guideline<\/b><\/p>\n

The new guideline emphasises and strengthens the need to have effective and reliable respirable dust mitigatory measures. The quantitative and qualitative approach to risk management associated with respirable dust involves determining the level of risk and measuring dust levels if ever there is any potential that they exceed the exposure limit. Acceptable, uncertain and unacceptable are the risk criteria that have been suggested for use in the risk management process. Classification of reliability and effectiveness of controls is performed through a hierarchy of control. The transition from the base to the pinnacle of the hierarchy of control equates to an increase in the effectiveness of the respirable dust control measure implemented. The hierarchy of implemented measures in a precise order from least to most effective include:<\/span><\/p>\n