Respirators and Dust Hazards

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Respirators andDust Hazards
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Introduction

• What is Dust?
• How is Dust generated?
• What types of Dust are there?
• Why is Dust Control necessary?
• What are the Health Hazards of Dust?
• How can Dust be controlled?

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What is Dust?

• One Micron-Size Dust Particle
• on a Pin Head

4
How is Fresh Dust Generated?

• When Ore is Broken by
• Impact
• Abrasion
• Crushing
• Grinding
• What ore sizing equipment do you have at your
  work site?

5
How is Dust Recirculated?

• Release of previously generated dust during such
  processing operations as
• Loading
• Dumping
• Transferring
• What types of Loading, Dumping, or Transferring
  Equipment do you have?

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How is Dust Recirculated?

• Also, dust can be recirculated by
• Wind
• Movement of Workers
• Movement of Equipment
• What activities or conditions kick up dust at
  your mine?

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Dust Classification

• Fibrogenic Dust (Causes Disease)
• Crystalline Silica (Quartz)
• Asbestos
• Beryllium
• Nuisance Dust - Dust that does not contain
  harmful quantities of asbestos less than 1
  quartz.

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Dust Classification by Size

• Dust is classified by size into two primary
  categories.
• Respirable Dust
• Inhalable Dust

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Inhaleable Dust

• Dust that enters the body, but is trapped in the
  nose, throat, and upper respiratory tract.

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Respirable Dust

• Dust particles small enough (less than 10
  Microns) to penetrate past the upper respiratory
  tract and deep into the lungs.

Percent of Particles going deep into the Lungs
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Dust the Respiratory System
Human Respiratory System
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Why Control Dust?

• Health Hazards
• Occupational respiratory diseases
• Irritation to eyes, nose, throat
• Skin irritation
• Damage to Equipment
• Impaired Visibility
• Community Relations
• Can you think of other reasons?

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Health Hazards

• The harm Dust can cause depends on the following
• Dust Composition
• Dust Concentration
• Particle Size and Shape
• Amount of Exposure Time
• Excessive exposure to harmful dusts can cause
  Pneumoconiosis - a dust related lung disease.

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Dust Related Deaths in Mich.

• 1,426 deaths occurred from dust-related lung
  diseases in Michigan from 1968 to 1991.

Information from NIOSHs StateProfiles/Michigan
Internet Web Site http//www.cdc.gov/niosh/mi.htm
l
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Dust Related Lung Diseases

• Silicosis
• Caused by Silica Dust
• Black Lung
• Caused by Coal Dust
• Asbestosis
• Caused by Asbestos Dust
• Damage from these diseases is irreversible!

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Controling Dust Exposure - Safer Machinery
Tools

• Fully enclosing dusty processes.
• Local exhaust ventilation/dust collection
  equipment.
• Tools with dust extraction (vacuum) devices.
• Using water to suppress dust.
• Operator enclosures with an air filtration
  system.
• Use abrasives other than sand for abrasive
  blasting.

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Dust Control Systems
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Dust Control Systems
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Controling Dust Exposure - Safe Work Procedures

• Wetting down dusty work areas or processes prior
  to work.
• Working upwind of dust sources where possible.
• Posting warning Signs where necessary.
• Limiting Exposure time.
• Training all employees on appropriate work
  procedures.
• Good housekeeping practices.

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Controling Dust Exposure - Respiratory Protection

• Fit testing of all employees required to wear
  respiratory devices.
• Training employees in the proper use of
  respiratory devices.
• Making sure employees understand the hazards of
  dust and the importance of respirator use.
• Regular checking and cleaning of non-disposable
  respirators.

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Reasons for Repirators?

• Certain Breathing conditions are hazardous to
  life and lung.
• The air can be contaminated with
• Dusts, Mists, Fumes
• Toxic Vapors
• The air can have too little oxygen.

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How do we control these Airborne Hazards?

• First - Use Engineering Controls to eliminate the
  hazard.
• Second - Use Administrative Controls to reduce
  exposure to the hazard.
• Last - Use Respirators as a temporary protective
  measure until Engineering and Administrative
  Controls are in place.

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2 Basic Types of Respirators

• Air Purifying Respirators
• Used to filter out or neutralize contaminants
• Examples Dust Organic Vapor
• Air Supply Respirators
• Used when there is a lack of oxygen, when the
  hazard is unknown or is undetectable by smell or
  taste.
• Examples Compressor Hose SCBA

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Filtering Respirators

• Particulates - Dusts, Mists Fumes
• New Classes N, R, P 95, 99, 100
• Non-Resistant(Oil), Resistant(Oil), (Oil) Proof
• Toxins - Organics, Acids, etc.
• Neutralizing or Absorbing
• Filtering Respirators are Hazard Specific
• Dont expect one respirator to protect you from
  all hazards!

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How long do Respirators last?

• Particulate (Dust) Filtering Respirators
• Change them when the breathing resistance gets
  high.
• Toxin Filtering Respirators
• Change when you first smell or taste a
  contaminant (Break-through)

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Health Conditions that Interfere with Respirator
Use

• Heart Conditions
• Asthma or other breathing problem
• Claustrophobia (fear of enclosed space)
• Missing Teeth

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Other Conditions that can Interfere with
Respirator Use

• Contact Lenses
• Eyeglass Temples (certain types)
• Skullcaps (Beanies)

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Respirators Used at Your Workplace

• How to don your respirator.
• Look at the manufacturers instructions.
• How to clean Maintain your respirator.
• Look at the manufacturers instructions.
• How to Self-Fit Test your respirator.
• Not possible with Filter-Face Types
• Look at the manufacturers instructions.

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Quiz

• Silicosis is a disease whose effects can be
  reversed, given time.
• True
• False

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Quiz

• Dust respirator masks are not the preferred
  protection from dust because
• A. They can leak if not fitted properly.
• B. They are uncomfortable to wear.
• C. They cost very little.
• D. Both A B