HEALTH & SAFETY
Richwood dust containment systems
CLEARING THE AIR
CJ Ferguson presents an engineered approach to passive dust containment
C
onveyor belts are the lifeline of an industry that measures success on the constant movement of material. With
this mandate comes a side-eff ect, visible dust and fi nes that can escape into the air. Dust not only creates an environmental hazard, but it also presents challenges such as increased maintenance costs, health risks for workers that are exposed to particulates and decreased conveyor lifespan. In the US, the Mine Safety and
Health Administration (MSHA) recently proposed a rule, ‘Lowering Miner’s Exposure to Respirable Crystalline Silica and Improving Respiratory Protection’. It discusses the known adverse health eff ects, the current standard and the proposed rule for lowering exposure levels. It would require periodic sampling to verify that exposures are at or below accepted levels. Conveyor solutions company
Richwood acknowledges the necessity of a thorough strategy to control dust and spillage. Their method for minimising the negative impacts of
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visible dust and fi nes relies on an engineered, passive approach.
IMPORTANCE OF ANALYSIS This passive method adheres to CEMA guidelines for transfer areas and industry best practices in containment. It also avoids the common drawbacks found in traditional methods of dust suppression such as misting or spraying
either with water or chemicals or dust collection systems that require fi lters or continued maintenance. A comprehensive analysis of a belt
transfer is of primary importance, with attention to operating details. This includes evaluation of the belt elevation, considering factors like belt speed, drop heights, material characteristics, and output capacity. Special attention should be given to the Impact Zone where the
Dust containment with curtains and stilling chamber
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