scholarly journals Managing the Dust Degree –Related Risks in Valea Jiului Collieries: A Synthesis

2021 ◽  
Vol 3 (1) ◽  
pp. 139-151
Author(s):  
Florin-Ionel Burdea ◽  
Roland-Iosif Moraru

Abstract The paper aims to make a synthesis regarding the risks associated with the presence of industrial dust in the underground atmosphere of the coal mines. Thus, in the first part of it are presented relevant aspects regarding the health risk associated with the exposure to silica dust, as well as the flammability and explosiveness of the coal dust, in correlation with the mechanism of the explosion. The second part is dedicated to identifying and substantiating measures to combat the explosiveness of coal dust. In presenting the mentioned measures, the emphasis is placed on highlighting the scope and the specific advantages and disadvantages of each measure, with particular emphasis on the possibilities offered by the use of less employed techniques in mining operations in the Jiu Valley, such as it is, for example, the treatment of mining works with hygroscopic substances. The purpose of the authors is to offer the experts in the field of management of occupational safety and health in the mining industry an overview, in conjunction with specific information elements that facilitate the decision-making processes regarding the minimization of the hazards associated with the degree of coal dustiness in the Jiu Valley collieries.

Author(s):  
Hugo E. Camargo ◽  
Jeffrey S. Peterson ◽  
Amanda S. Azman

Noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL) is the second most prevalent illness in the mining industry. According to a study conducted by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), in which over 42,000 audiograms from metal/nonmetal miners were analyzed, approximately 70% of miners have hearing impairment as compared to 9% of non-occupationally noise-exposed workers. One of the machines used extensively in metal/nonmetal mines responsible for high noise exposure levels of its operators is the jumbo drill, used to drill holes at the mines for blasting purposes. In this context, NIOSH is conducting research to develop engineering noise controls for jumbo drills that would reduce the prevalence of hearing loss among operators of this equipment. The first step of the noise control development process consists of identifying and ranking dominant noise sources present during operation of the jumbo drill. To this end, a noise study was conducted at NIOSH’s laboratories in which a microphone phased array system was used to identify dominant noise sources, and the transfer path analysis method was used to rank these sources based on their contribution to the operator location. Results showed that the drill string and the drilling mechanism — known as the drifter — are the dominant sound-radiating components in the operation of the jumbo drill.


2020 ◽  
Vol 242 ◽  
pp. 248 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jurgen KRETSCHMANN ◽  
Marcus PLIEN ◽  
Thi Hoai Nga NGUYEN ◽  
Marat RUDAKOV

The paper is dealing with a developed concept named Empowerment Teaching, which is based on practical teaching experience gained in various mining universities. It is demonstrated that this concept can be used to increase the effectiveness of knowledge transfer to mining countries in the world, as well as to overcome cultural barriers between lecturers and their students. The two models of participatory training, which are proposed to be named “physical” and “emotional” models, are portrayed. The authors are convinced that participatory training methods can be an ideal answer to a challenge associated with workers’ competencies in mining, namely – the potential of highly motivated and well-educated young academics is often diminished by a lack of ability to apply their knowledge. A special emphasis is made on the possible application of empowerment teaching for educational and training activities in the field of occupational safety and health (OSH), which is a matter of utmost importance for the mining industry. Several benchmarking initiatives in the field of OSH (“safety culture”, zero-accident vision) are underlined to be encouraged and promoted by means of new teaching methods. The examples of successful international cooperation among universities are given, as well.


1980 ◽  
Vol 24 ◽  
pp. 37-48
Author(s):  
M. T. Abell ◽  
D. D. Dollberg ◽  
J. V. Crable

The goal of the occupational health professions is ”… to assure so far as possible every working man and woman in the Nation safe and healthful working conditions and to preserve our human resources” (Occupational Safety and Health Act, PL91-596). When the health of workers is threatened by chemical agents in the air, occupational health chemistry has a role to play. Analyses of workplace air are performed by the thousands each year by industry and by state and federal agencies. In the federal government, these analyses, as well as occupational health work in general, are performed by three agencies: the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH, DHHS), which does occupational health research; the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA, DOL), which enforces safety and health standards in the general workplace; and the Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA, DOL), which enforces similar standards in mining operations.


2008 ◽  
Vol 39 (10) ◽  
pp. 25-36 ◽  
Author(s):  
Santosh Kumar Nanda ◽  
D.P. Tripathy ◽  
Sarat Kumar Patra

This paper describes a fuzzy system approach to modeling of noise-induced hearing loss, one of the most dangerous effects of noise in the mining industry. Hearing loss has been considered as a function of noise level, frequency, and exposure time. The model is simulated using MATLAB for Takagi-Sugeno-Kang (TSK) inference mechanism. The model results are compared with the survey findings of U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) and National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), Pittsburgh and were found to be in good agreement. The model clearly brings out the salient features of the surveys concerning the variation of hearing loss with frequency for various duration of exposure times, viz., the hearing loss is not appreciable below 2kHz. The model results closely match with the NIOSH results in 2–6 kHz at 90 dB (A) and with the EPA results in 2–8 kHz at 85 dBA. It was observed that for 0–6 years of exposure, the hearing loss as per NIOSH was between 0 – 20 dB, whereas it was between 0–25 dB (not significant) as per American Academy of Ophthalmology and Otolaryngology (AAOO). The model clearly shows that the duration of exposure can be used to infer the hearing loss for mining and industrial workers of different age groups.


2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (2) ◽  
pp. 470
Author(s):  
Marat Rudakov ◽  
Elena Gridina ◽  
Jürgen Kretschmann

This article deals with the role and the place of risk-based thinking in today’s occupational safety and health (OSH) systems used by mining companies. A brief survey on modern challenges and pressures affecting companies, as well as on the structure of supply chains, is given. It is demonstrated that, despite all measures and actions that are being taken, occupational injuries in the mining sector: (a) remain a matter of serious concern and (b) should be examined and investigated through the lens of the company’s complexity. The objective of the article is two-fold: to trace the evolution of risk-based thinking from quality management systems towards OSH management systems and to demonstrate how this approach can be implemented by a company performing open-pit mining operations. The matrix method along with the Fine and Kinney’s method was used in assessing OSH risks, and the checklist method along with a Strengths-Weaknesses-Opportunities-Threats (SWOT)analysis was used while assessing OSH opportunities. The results of the study make it possible to conclude that risk-based thinking incorporated into an OSH management system can be a robust and efficient instrument for OSH planning and implementation. This article contains an example of assessing OSH risks and opportunities for a dragline operator and also discusses the possible ways of using the data on the OSH risks and opportunities that were identified in OSH activities. The final part also contains comments and reflections on various risks mining companies are facing nowadays.


2021 ◽  
Vol 1 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Kim Tu NGO

Coal mining is one of the heavy, hazardous industries. Therefore, workers in this industryalways face high risks of occupational accidents and diseases. According to the annual report of theMinistry of Labor, Invalids and Social Affairs (MoLISA), the situation of occupational accidents andillnesses in the mining sector in recent years has increased both in terms of number and severity, and thisincludes fatal occupational accidents in the coal mining industry. Currently, the authorities have beenimplementing inspection of occupational safety and health (OSH) to prevent and limit the situation. In thescope of this article, the author focuses on clarifying the position and the role of OSH inspecting whilepresenting and analyzing the results of the inspection of OSH legislation compliance within the coalmining industry nationwide. From there, proposing several solutions to strengthen inspection of OSH,prevent and limit occupational accidents and diseases in the coming time, contributing to improving theefficiency of state management of OSH in the coal mining industry in Vietnam today.


Author(s):  
I.P. Karnachev ◽  
◽  
S.P. Levashov ◽  
N.K. Smirnova ◽  
P.I. Karnachev ◽  
...  

The analysis of official statistics shows that the existing mechanisms for reducing the risks of occupational injuries, based on monitoring traditional indicators of occupational safety, and financing a set of appropriate preventive measures, largely exhausted their potential. They do not contribute to further formation of a stable trend to reduce the occupational injuries. The phased abandonment of prescriptive regulation in the industry of the Russian Federation makes it inevitable to introduce the concept of the goal of activities on ensuring occupational safety and health. Approaches to managing safety of the organizational processes when measuring the efficiency of the occupational health and safety management system should be based on active monitoring and continuous improvement of the performance indicators of the relevant processes. The relevance and need for a comprehensive solution of the theoretical, methodological and applied problems of monitoring efficiency in the field of ensuring safety of employees labor in the industry of the Russian Federation, as well as the imperfection of the scientific and methodological base and the state system of the operative management of occupational risks require the development of adequate and efficient solutions for improving the level of occupational safety, reduction of deaths and injurie rate. The essence of the concept of proactive monitoring of safety is that the efficiency of planning and monitoring in the field of ensuring safety at all levels (state, industry, corporate, etc.) should be justified using measurable indicators (indices) of the efficiency of ensuring safety and corresponding values of the target and threshold safety levels. The paper focuses on the problems of developing a proactive monitoring system for occupational safety, and the use of leading indicators for monitoring occupational safety and health state in real time, as well as to respond appropriately.


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