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U.S. Department of Energy
Office of Scientific and Technical Information

Study of respirable dust outby the working face of a coal mine. Open file report (final) 30 June 1976-16 October 1978

Technical Report ·
OSTI ID:5424322

The objective of this investigation was to conduct surveys of respirable dust concentrations in coal mining operations at locations outby the working face. The results of these surveys were directed toward (1) identifying outby dust sources, (2) evaluating the severity of the major dust sources, (3) establishing dust sampling frequency, (4) establishing dust sampler locations, and (5) assessing the areas of influence of the dust sources. The study included dust sampling of only nonhigh-risk personnel and areas at six different mines. Thirteen continuous mining, four longwall, and two conventional mining sections were sampled. The severity of outby respirable dust sources such as load points, runways, dump points, beltways, transfer points, and main haulage operations were characterized and areas within the mine ranked according to severity. Information on engineering controls was also acquired. Guidelines for implementing a dust sampling program are presented and include sampler locations, ventilation surveys, dust surveys, effects of shift-to-shift variations, and sampling frequency.

Research Organization:
MSA Research Corp., Evans City, PA (USA); Bureau of Mines, Washington, DC (USA)
OSTI ID:
5424322
Report Number(s):
PB-81-236762
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English