PREVENTIVE MEASURES REDUCING THE RISK ARISING FROM DUST IN MINING WORKPLACES

Abstract

The dustThe dust is one of the most frequently observed harmful factors occurring in underground hard coal mines. Mine dust is formed during the mining of longwalls, drilling of dog headings, transport and grinding of output, as well as during the shifting of powered roof supports. Fighting dust should rely primarily on reducing the amount of dust produced in the place of its generation and on preventing the spread of dust in a circulating air current. It is assumed, that as a result of mining and transport, approximately 2–3% of output is transformed into the dust, both settled and airbone dust. Taking into consideration the coal extracted in 2011 in the coal mine “Jas-Mos”, it gives the amount of about 38 376 tons. The harmful effects of dust on health of miners include: mechanical damage to the mucous membranes, skin irritation and sensitization, silicosis and cancer. In 2010, pneumoconiosis accounted for more than 80% of all occupational diseases detected in mining. However, it should be noted, that a large proportion of cases of pneumoconiosis (87%) was found in retired [1]. This is typical for pneumoconiosis, which might be revealed many years after exposure to dust. The harmfulness of dust is influenced by the concentration of a particular faction in the air (total or respirable), free silica content, size, shape and density of dust particles, as well as the time of the exposure.