Australasian Mine Safety is the leading voice for all key decision makers within Mining company's and major contractors. Delivering the latest industry news as it breaks.
Issue link: http://ebook.aprs.com.au/i/36597
DUST SUPRESSION - PREVENTING SILICOSIS DUST SUPPRESSION Keep workers safe from silicosis Many mine and quarry workers are exposed each year to inhaling airborne crystalline silica dust and therefore faced with the very serious health threat known as silicosis. Every year, long term or high-level exposure to crystalline silica has been linked to debilitating diseases such as tuberculosis and lung cancer. The workers in these industries are at the highest risk of silicosis because freshly cracked, split, or fractured silica-based materials release high concentrations of airborne dust. Crystalline silica is a naturally occurring mineral that is white or colourless and found in the Earth’s crust. It is a core component of quartz, sand, flint, agate, granite, and many other mineral rocks. Many of these mineral rocks are used for building and road construction. As well, silica is used to create materials such as glass and concrete. Kinder’s K-Snap-Loc Dust Seal System is designed to provide both a shield and containment against dust build up, the seal can be easily installed and is suitable for most conveyor applications. Made from high performance polyurethane, making it withstand some of the harshest working environments K-Snap-Loc Dust Seal will outlast rubber seals and reduce drag on conveyors by 60%.The unique design allows its installation quickly and easily into most conveyor systems. Simply by tacking the mounting rail to the system, and snapping the dust seal into place, a pin will hold it effectively into place. K-Snap-Loc Dust seal utilises urethane’s inherent “memory set” to apply downward pressure onto the belts surface to create a fine tight seal, so there is no need for manual adjustment, reducing costly downtime. AUSTRALASIAN MINE SAFETY JOURNAL 71