Dust suppression
Reduce dust, achieve occupational exposure reduction targets SAFE TO WORK HIGHLIGHTS SY-KLONE INTERNATIONAL’S CABIN AIR QUALITY AND MONITORING SOLUTIONS FOR MEETING ISO 23875 REQUIREMENTS, HELPING MINES CREATE A SAFER WORKPLACE AND SUPPORTING EXPOSURE REDUCTION GOALS.
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xposure to dust is one of the most common risks faced by mining employees and without the right dust mitigation solution, workers are at risk of chronic lung conditions that can severely impact quality of life. Dust particles found in mining environments, such as coal dust, silica dust, asbestos fibres and other harmful respirable particulate can enter unprotected mobile heavy equipment and fixed plant cabins, and may be inhaled by workers. Respirable dust and debris can cause long-term health conditions such as coal mine dust lung disease, silicosis, mixed dust pneumoconiosis, dust-related diffuse fibrosis and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. In June, Cancer Council Australia launched a campaign to highlight the dangers of exposure to silica dust to raise awareness for those working in highrisk industries. Long-term exposure to silica dust has the potential to cause fatal lung diseases. Occupations with the greatest risk of exposure include miners, construction workers, farmers and engineers. Cancer Council Australia chief executive officer Tanya Buchanan says 600,000 Australians are exposed to silica dust in the workplace.
The RESPA Advisor+ is the only ISO 23875-compliant in-cabin pressure and CO2 monitor on the market.
“Silica dust can be 100 times smaller than a grain of sand, meaning workers can breathe it in without even knowing,” she says. “Over time this causes serious lung damage and can lead to lung cancer, silicosis, chronic pulmonary disease and kidney disease. “We want to make sure any Australians working in environments in which they may be exposed to silica dust are aware of both the health risks and the work health and safety processes they need to follow to protect themselves.” A new industry standard – ISO 23875 cabin air quality standard – provides practical steps for mine sites to improve engineering controls and operational integration of machine cabins, in support
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of reducing occupational exposure and improving worker health. ISO 23875 seeks to “address the fundamental design requirements that will allow for operator enclosures to perform at a level that provides sustained air quality, reducing concentrations of respirable particulate matter and carbon dioxide that are harmful to human health.” ISO 23875 differs from other regulations as it is a lifecycle standard. It addresses cabin air control systems from the time of design, to when the equipment arrives on site and throughout its operating life. ISO 23875 outlines specific engineering requirements and performance testing to ensure compliance. ISO 23875 performance
