Health

Learning objectives

  • Explain why it is important to control surface miners' exposures to dust and noise, and list the key components of programs designed to reduce workers' exposures to environmental hazards.
  • Identify the main sources of dust and noise at surface mines, the related health hazards, and health screening techniques.
  • Explain the goals and techniques for sampling air quality at surface mines.
  • Describe techniques for reducing miners' exposures to dust and other airborne contaminants.
  • Explain the regulations and techniques for assessing noise levels at surface mines.
  • Describe techniques for reducing miners' exposure to noise.

Course overview

The purpose of the lesson is to provide mining contractors with an awareness of the health risks associated with excessive dust and noise exposure at surface mines and with an awareness of the federal regulations and recommendations for controlling dust and noise exposures. The lesson is part of an 8-hour refresher-training curriculum that mining contractors must complete annually.

  • 45 minutes
Course Outline
  • Introduction
  • Health Risks of Dust and Noise Exposures
  • Sampling Air Quality
  • Limiting Dust Exposure
  • Sampling Noise Levels
  • Limiting Noise Exposures
  • Summary
Regulations
  • 30 CFR Part 56 Safety and Health Standards - Surface Metal and Nonmetal Mines, Subpart A - General
  • 30 CFR Part 56 Safety and Health Standards - Surface Metal and Nonmetal Mines, Subpart C - Fire Prevention and Control
  • 30 CFR Part 56 Safety and Health Standards - Surface Metal and Nonmetal Mines, Subpart D - Air Quality, Radiation, and Physical Agents
  • 30 CFR Part 56 Safety and Health Standards - Surface Metal and Nonmetal Mines, Subpart N - Personal Protection
  • 30 CFR Part 56 Safety and Health Standards - Surface Metal and Nonmetal Mines, Subpart O - Material Storage and Handling
  • 30 CFR Part 56 Safety and Health Standards - Surface Metal and Nonmetal Mines, Subpart Q - Safety Programs
  • 30 CFR Part 56 Safety and Health Standards - Surface Metal and Nonmetal Mines, Subpart S - Miscellaneous
  • 30 CFR 58 Health Standards for Metal and Nonmetal Mines, Subpart A - General
  • 30 CFR 58 Health Standards for Metal and Nonmetal Mines, Subpart E - Miscellaneous
  • 30 CFR Part 62 - Occupational Noise Exposure
  • 30 CFR Part 71 - Mandatory Health Standards - Surface Coal Mines and Surface Work Areas of Underground Coal Mines, Subpart A - General
  • 30 CFR Part 71 - Mandatory Health Standards - Surface Coal Mines and Surface Work Areas of Underground Coal Mines, Subpart C - Sampling Procedures
  • 30 CFR Part 71 - Mandatory Health Standards - Surface Coal Mines and Surface Work Areas of Underground Coal Mines, Subpart D - Respirable Dust Control Plans
  • 30 CFR Part 71 - Mandatory Health Standards - Surface Coal Mines and Surface Work Areas of Underground Coal Mines, Subpart H - Airborne Contaminants
  • 30 CFR Part 72 - Health Standards for Coal Mines, Subpart B - Medical Surveillance
  • 30 CFR Part 72 - Health Standards for Coal Mines, Subpart D - Diesel Particulate Matter
  • 30 CFR Part 72 - Health Standards for Coal Mines, Subpart E - Miscellaneous
  • 30 CFR Part 77 - Mandatory Safety Standards, Surface Coal Mines and Surface Work Areas of Underground Coal Mines, Subpart A - General
  • 30 CFR Part 77 - Mandatory Safety Standards, Surface Coal Mines and Surface Work Areas of Underground Coal Mines, Subpart C - Surface Installations
  • 30 CFR Part 77 - Mandatory Safety Standards, Surface Coal Mines and Surface Work Areas of Underground Coal Mines, Subpart Q - Loading and Haulage
  • 30 CFR Part 77 - Mandatory Safety Standards, Surface Coal Mines and Surface Work Areas of Underground Coal Mines, Subpart R - Miscellaneous
  • 30 CFR Part 90 - Mandatory Health Standards - Coal Miners Who Have Evidence of The Development of Pneumoconiosis, Subpart A - General
  • 30 CFR Part 90 - Mandatory Health Standards - Coal Miners Who Have Evidence of The Development of Pneumoconiosis, Subpart B - Dust Standards, Rights of Part 90 Miners
  • 30 CFR Part 90 - Mandatory Health Standards - Coal Miners Who Have Evidence of The Development of Pneumoconiosis, Subpart C - Sampling Procedures
  • MSHA’s Final Rule to Lower Miners’ Exposure to Respirable Coal Dust, Mine Safety and Health Administration, April 2014
  • Program Information Bulletin No. P13-03, Operator Respirable Dust Sampling Requirements, Mine Safety and Health Administration, April 2013
  • Noise Control Resource Guide for Surface Mining, Mine Safety and Health Administration, May 2012
  • A Practical Guide to an Occupational Health Program for Respirable Crystalline Silica, A Joint Project of The Industrial Minerals Association of North America and the Mine Safety and Health Administration, January 2008
  • Noise Basics, Michigan Mine Safety and Health Training, January 2008
  • Compliance Guide to MSHA's Occupational Noise Exposure Standard, Mine Safety and Health Administration, September 1999
  • Dust – What You See Can Hurt You, Mine Safety and Health Administration, Mine Health and Safety Academy, 1999
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