Handbook to reduce the exposure of workers to dust.

Abstract

An urgent need has been identified by the coal mining industry, the department of Mineral and energy affairs, and the unions regarding information to enable mine operators to address the dust problem. This handbook flows out of a SIMRAC funded project dealing with dust, and part of the project’s output was to update the previous guidelines, making it pertinent to catering for the ventilation and dust suppression systems, which are presently being used to the mines. This handbook is directed at personnel on the mines, allowing an understanding, not only the problem, but also of the processes which can be used to combat the occurrence of dust in the workings. It is also envisaged that the handbook will serve as a reference base for those in supervisory positions and those responsible for maintaining lower levels of dust.