OPERATIONS MANAGEMENT
HAZARD perception
Does the mining industry have the most workplace hazards? Glyn Jones explores the most common dangers – and how technology can help to mitigate them
F
rom hazardous materials and unstable structures, to dangerous chemical gases and dust, when it comes to environmental hazards,
those working in the mining sector are regularly exposed to potentially fatal dangers. Although modern safety solutions have improved safety, any misstep, equipment failure or change in atmosphere could be disastrous. Here, we explore some of the most
dangerous materials and chemicals present in hazardous operations across mining – as well as what can be done to combat these elements. Silica dust is the fi rst dangerous material to be discussed. T e natural substance found in most rocks, sand and clay, as well as common construction materials – is the biggest risk to construction workers after asbestos. Generated through mining, processing, transportation operations and fracking, it is fi ne enough to get into workers’ lungs and too hard to see with normal lighting. In its crystalline form, known as respirable crystalline silica (RCS), prolonged exposure can cause lung cancer and other respiratory-related diseases. In the USA alone, the Occupational
Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) estimates that more than
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2.3 million workers are potentially exposed to dust containing RCS, with a signifi cant number of those workers employed in the mining industry.
Carbon monoxide Referred to as ‘white damp’ or the ‘silent killer’, carbon monoxide is a colourless, tasteless gas produced by appliances where there is not suffi cient air for them to work correctly, or by the combustion of coal. Carbon monoxide is present wherever fuel is burned and can be produced by home appliances, but is most prevalent in mining operations that are poorly ventilated or have confi ned spaces. In the UK, carbon monoxide poisoning accounts for 50 recorded deaths per year and as many as 4,000 medical visits, according to the Department of Health. Dust is another danger. Large amounts of dust can be generated during drilling operations and explosive operations in dry conditions. Mining operations are generally a large generator of dust, due to drilling and crushing – and as a consequence, managing the volume of dust in mining operations can be diffi cult. Breathing in fi ne dust particles can lead to various health hazards. In some instances, the eff ects of long-term exposure to dust may not be noticeable
for years or decades, but it can cause considerable damage to the body. Asbestos – or fi brous minerals – is the commercial term for six types of naturally occurring silicate mineral fi bres; and one of the most dangerous hazards miners face. Despite the inhalation of these minerals presenting signifi cant risks, it is still one of the most common materials used in the construction trade and can be found in any industrial or residential building built or refurbished before the year 2000. According to the Health and Safety Executive, asbestos kills around 5,000 workers each year – more than the number of people killed on UK roads. Methane, or ‘fi redamp’ (a collective
term given to a number of fl ammable gases) is produced through the extraction of fossil fuels from the earth, whether natural gas, coal or petroleum. Methane has an unpleasant ‘rotten egg’ smell - and is fl ammable
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