Mining Publication: Reducing Enclosed Cab Drill Operator's Respirable Dust Exposure at Surface Coal Operation With a Retrofitted Filtration and Pressurization System
Original creation date: February 2002
Many different types of mobile equipment used in surface coal mining utilize enclosed cabs to protect equipment operators. The overburden removal process is extremely dusty and can cause excessive exposure to respirable dust, especially crystalline silica. After equipment is used for years, many components of the enclosure deteriorate and its effectiveness is greatly reduced. This report discusses a cooperative research study performed on an Ingersoll Rand DM45E surface drill, retrofitted with a new Sigma pressurization and filtration system. Respirable dust concentrations were substantially reduced from 0.64 mg/m3 during pre-testing to 0.05 mg/m3 during post-testing with the new system, representing a 92% reduction in dust levels in the drill cab. This new system appears to be a very well-built and sturdy device, well-suited for the mining industry.
Authors: AB Cecala, JA Organiscak, WA Heitbrink, JA Zimmer, T Fisher, RE Gresh, JD Ashley
Conference Paper - February 2002
NIOSHTIC2 Number: 20026083
2002 SME Annual Meeting, Feb. 25-27, Phoenix, AZ, SME Preprint 02-105, Society for Mining, Metallurgy, and Exploration, Inc.; :1-6
See Also
- Best Practices for Dust Control in Coal Mining
- Control of Respirable Dust
- The Effects of Low Quartz Mass Loading and Spatial Variability on the Quartz Analysis of Surface Coal Mine Dust Samples
- Equivalency of a Personal Dust Monitor to the Current United States Coal Mine Respirable Dust Sampler
- Evaluation of the Approach to Respirable Quartz Exposure Control in U.S. Coal Mines
- Field Assessment of Control Techniques and Long-Term Dust Variability for Surface Coal Mine Rock Drills and Bulldozers
- Improved Drill Shroud Capture of Respirable Dust Utilizing Air Nozzles Underneath the Drill Deck
- Improving Silica Dust Control Through Targeted Research
- Respirable Quartz Hazard Associated with Coal Mine Roof Bolter Dust
- Technology News 447 - Dust Collector Discharge Shroud Reduces Dust Exposure to Drill Operators at Surface Coal Mines
- Page last reviewed: 9/21/2012
- Page last updated: 9/21/2012
- Content source: National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Mining Program