Queensland is home to a diverse range of industries, including mining, construction, and manufacturing, which generate significant amounts of dust.
Dust suppression is a key concern for these industries as exposure to high levels of dust can lead to serious health problems, including respiratory disease and Erizon dust suppression in Queensland are one of the few companies many look to for solutions.
In response, the Queensland government has implemented regulations and strategies to manage dust levels and protect workers’ health and safety.
These regulations and strategies include occupational exposure limits (OEL) for respirable dust and respirable crystalline silica (RCS), codes of practice for managing dust exposure in construction and manufacturing, and guidelines for managing respirable dust in mineral mines and quarries.
Effective dust suppression strategies must account for differences in dust particle size and source. Natural sources of dust, such as windblown dust, require different suppression methods than industrial sources, such as mining or manufacturing. Compliance with regulations and guidelines is essential to mitigate health, safety, and environmental concerns associated with both fine and coarse dust particles.
Regulatory Framework for Dust Suppression in Queensland
Queensland has a comprehensive legislative framework in place to manage the risks associated with dust exposure in the workplace. The legislative framework includes the Mining and Quarrying Safety and Health Regulation 2017 and the Coal Mining Safety and Health Act 1999.
These regulations are supported by a Code of Practice, which provides guidance on how to comply with the legislative requirements.
Mining and Quarrying Safety and Health Regulation 2017
The Mining and Quarrying Safety and Health Regulation 2017 sets out the requirements for managing the risks associated with dust exposure in the mining and quarrying industry. The regulation requires employers to identify the hazards associated with dust exposure and to implement control measures to eliminate or minimise the risks.
Employers are also required to provide information, instruction and training to workers on the hazards associated with dust exposure and how to control those risks.
Coal Mining Safety and Health Act 1999
The Coal Mining Safety and Health Act 1999 sets out the legislative requirements for the management of health and safety in the coal mining industry. The act requires employers to identify hazards and implement control measures to eliminate or minimise the risks associated with dust exposure.
Employers are also required to provide information, instruction and training to workers on the hazards associated with dust exposure and how to control those risks.
Code of Practice 2022
The Code of Practice provides guidance on how to comply with the legislative requirements set out in the Mining and Quarrying Safety and Health Regulation 2017 and the Coal Mining Safety and Health Act 1999. The code provides practical guidance on how to identify hazards associated with dust exposure and how to implement control measures to eliminate or minimise the risks.
The code also provides guidance on how to provide information, instruction and training to workers on the hazards associated with dust exposure and how to control those risks.
Dust Suppression Methods and Controls
Dust suppression methods and controls are essential for protecting workers from the hazards of respirable dust. The following subsections describe some of the most effective dust control measures that can be implemented in the workplace.
Engineering Controls
Engineering controls are the most effective way to control dust at the source. They involve modifying the work environment or the equipment to reduce the amount of dust generated. Some examples of engineering controls include:
- Using enclosed cabs or booths to isolate workers from dust-generating operations.
- Installing local exhaust ventilation systems to capture dust at the source.
- Using wet methods, such as spraying water or using misting systems, to suppress dust.
Personal Protective Equipment
Personal protective equipment (PPE) is a last line of defense against dust exposure. It should only be used when engineering controls are not feasible or do not provide adequate protection. Some examples of PPE that can be used to protect workers from dust exposure include:
- Respirators, such as N95 or P100 filtering facepiece respirators, which filter out airborne particles.
- Protective clothing, such as coveralls or aprons, which prevent dust from settling on clothing and skin.
- Eye and face protection, such as safety glasses or goggles, which protect against eye irritation and injury.
Water Suppression and On-Tool Dust Extraction
Water suppression and on-tool dust extraction are two effective dust control measures that can be used in conjunction with engineering controls and PPE. Water suppression involves spraying water on dust-generating operations to suppress dust. On-tool dust extraction involves using a vacuum system to capture dust at the source.
Both of these methods can be effective in reducing dust exposure, but they require careful implementation and maintenance to be effective. For example, water suppression systems must be designed and installed correctly to ensure that they do not create slip and fall hazards, while on-tool dust extraction systems must be regularly maintained to ensure that they are capturing dust effectively.
Health Risks and Safety Management
Dust is a significant health and safety hazard in many industries, particularly in mining and construction. The inhalation of airborne dust, including respirable crystalline silica, can lead to serious health issues, including silicosis, lung cancer, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Therefore, it is critical to manage respirable dust exposure to ensure the safety and health of workers.
Managing Respirable Crystalline Silica Dust Exposure
Respirable crystalline silica dust is a significant hazard to workers, particularly in the mining and construction industries. Silicosis, a lung disease caused by the inhalation of crystalline silica, is a severe health condition that can lead to disability and death. Therefore, it is essential to manage respirable crystalline silica dust exposure to prevent silicosis and other related health issues.
To manage respirable crystalline silica dust exposure, it is crucial to implement appropriate control measures, such as:
- Using local exhaust ventilation to capture dust at the source
- Enclosing processes to prevent the release of dust
- Using wet methods to suppress dust
- Providing respiratory protective equipment (RPE) to workers
Occupational Exposure Limits and Air Quality
To ensure the safety and health of workers, Queensland has set occupational exposure limits (OELs) for respirable dust and respirable crystalline silica. From 1 September 2020, the OEL for respirable dust is 1.5mg/m3, while the OEL for respirable crystalline silica is 0.05mg/m3.
To comply with these OELs, employers must implement appropriate control measures to manage airborne dust levels and maintain good air quality. This includes:
- Monitoring airborne dust levels regularly
- Implementing engineering controls to reduce dust levels
- Providing RPE to workers when necessary
- Maintaining good ventilation and filtration systems
Employers must also have a safety and health management system in place to manage airborne dust exposure effectively. This system should include:
- Risk assessments to identify hazards and control measures
- Training and education for workers on the risks of airborne dust exposure
- Regular monitoring and review of control measures
- Incident reporting and investigation procedures
Industry-Specific Dust Suppression Strategies
Dust suppression strategies vary across different industries. Below are some of the industry-specific strategies for dust suppression in Queensland.
Construction Industry
Construction sites are notorious for generating dust, especially when cutting concrete, bricks, and tiles. The following are some of the dust suppression strategies used in the construction industry:
- Wet cutting or water suppression: This technique involves spraying water on the cutting tool to reduce dust emissions. Water suppression also helps to keep the cutting blade cool, which prolongs its lifespan.
- Dust collectors: Dust collectors are used to capture dust generated during cutting and drilling operations. They work by sucking in the dusty air and filtering it before releasing it back into the environment.
- Enclosures: Enclosures are used to contain dust generated during construction activities. They are particularly useful when working indoors or in confined spaces.
Agriculture Sector
The agriculture sector is another industry that generates a lot of dust, especially during harvesting and land preparation. The following are some of the dust suppression strategies used in the agriculture sector:
- Water spraying: Water spraying is used to dampen the soil and reduce dust emissions during land preparation. It is also used during harvesting to reduce dust emissions from machinery.
- Cover crops: Cover crops are planted to cover the soil and reduce dust emissions. They also help to improve soil health and reduce erosion.
- Windbreaks: Windbreaks are planted around fields to reduce wind speeds and prevent soil erosion. They also help to reduce dust emissions from the fields.
Mining Sector
The mining sector is one of the largest emitters of dust in Queensland. The following are some of the dust suppression strategies used in the mining sector:
- Water spraying: Water spraying is used to dampen the ore and reduce dust emissions during drilling, blasting, and crushing operations.
- Dust collectors: Dust collectors are used to capture dust generated during mining operations. They work by sucking in the dusty air and filtering it before releasing it back into the environment.
- Enclosures: Enclosures are used to contain dust generated during mining operations. They are particularly useful when working indoors or in confined spaces.
In addition to the above strategies, all industries in Queensland are required to comply with the occupational exposure limits (OEL) for respirable dust and respirable crystalline silica (RCS). These limits were updated on 1 September 2020 and are set at 1.5mg/m3 and 0.05mg/m3 respectively.
