1. Control of Airborne Respirable Dust Hazards: A Training Program for Underground Coal Miners
Penn State
The Penn State
Miner Training Program
University Park, PA 16802
Raja V. Ramani, Ph.D., P.E, C.M.S.P.
Mark C. Radomsky, Ph.D. MPA, C.M.S.P.
Joseph P. Flick, M.S., C.M.S.P.
March 31, 2003

2. CENTERS FOR DISEASE CONTROL AND PREVENTION
NATIONAL INSTITUTE FOR
OCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH
GENERIC MINERAL TECHNOLOGY
CENTER ON RESPIRABLE DUST
PENNSYLVANIA BUREAU
OF DEEP MINE SAFETY

3. RESPIRABLE DUST TRAINING PROGRAM
Section 13
IMPORTANT REMINDERS:
WHAT YOU CAN DO
TO PROTECT AGAINST DUST HAZARDS

4. Suggestions for All Miners
Don’t dry sweep to clean up…it puts dust in the air that you can breathe
Use water or a vacuum system with a HEPA filter for cleaning
Keep your work area clean—don’t let dust build up

5. Suggestions for All Miners
Do not use compressed air for cleaning clothes or equipment
Keep your equipment adjusted
Report maintenance or system problems right away

6. Suggestions for All Miners
Wear the recommended approved respirator for the type of respiratory hazards you might encounter
When possible, maintain and clean equipment when it’s not operating
Maintain adequate ventilation

7. Suggestions for All Miners
Never drill without a working dust control system
If you have a wet system-don’t drill dry
Ask questions if you don’t understand

8. Suggestions for All Miners
Stay in seam while mining to avoid generating excessive amounts of silica-containing dust while cutting sandstone top and/or bottom
Mine and bolt on cycle, to limit the number of times the roof bolter works downwind of the miner
Attempt to work upwind of any dust accumulations

9. Suggestions for All Miners
Maintain all water delivery systems
Maintain all water sprays
Maintain proper direction of water sprays
Maintain all line brattice and curtains
Maintain all scrubbers
Replace cutting bit regularly

10. Suggestions for All Miners
Conduct all required on-shift checks
of dust control systems
Review the mine ventilation plan
Review the results of dust sampling
Wear an approved, appropriate, fit-tested respirator

11. Identify and control
the hazards
Wear PPE
Don’t take chances

12. Report problems!
Make suggestions!
Play by the rules!

13. References and Readings
Proceed to Section 14
References and Readings