Pandey, J.K. and Vishwakarma, M.K. and Mishra, K.K. (2013) Towards Sustainable Growth in Mining, Mitigating Dust Related Health and Safety Problems: An Overview. Indian Mining & Engineering Journal , 52 (7). pp. 22-25. ISSN 0019-5944

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Abstract

Impact of mining on environment in general and that on workplaces in mines are gaining importance day by day as results of research works directed to know the adverse effects of pollutants released due to mining on human health are creating awareness among the people. This has led to implementing agencies to pass legislations on mitigating measures to be adopted on health and environmental issue The whole gamut of mining industry is pivoted to production and safety, both are indispensable so much so that production without safety measures is considered untenable. Dust generated in mining activities is a contaminant destroying workplace safety and posing problems on health in many ways. Dust affects by virtue of not only its mass but by its toxicity induced by the presence of substances like quartz. Airborne respirable quartz-laden dust, in particular, stays in the environment for a long time creates such problems as silicosis and lung diseases in miners. Workplace safety and eco-friendly environment are the issues being addressed in various international forums against the backdrop of quantum increase in production of minerals to meet the demand-supply gap. Strategies to suppress dust emission, both at the source and the environment to which the workers are continuously exposed by way of contact as well as inhalation, are being implemented for safety and health of miners. Water spray system, wet head continuous mining machine, drilling bit modification, dust control plan, mitigation of dust-laden methane explosion inside an underground coal mine, engineering control like improved ventilation, administrative orientation like rotation of workers in a shift and spreading awareness to adopt certain healthy practices by the workers in living and working place, form part of an integral approach to tackle dust related problems. Excessive fugitive dust emitted during any one of the activities like overburden removal, drilling and blasting, loading, hauling and reclamation activities, which are observed several times in a day requires prompt corrective response. For example, certain operations, such as overburden removal, may be suspended during periods of high wind velocities. Also, surface treatments on the haul roads may be modified to include use of additional dust suppressants, especially during dry conditions.

Item Type:	Article
Subjects:	Non Coal Ventilation, Fire Gallery and Metallurgy
Divisions:	UNSPECIFIED
Depositing User:	Mr. B. R. Panduranga
Date Deposited:	21 Jul 2014 09:24
Last Modified:	30 Apr 2017 06:14
URI:	http://cimfr.csircentral.net/id/eprint/1457

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