The Cancer Council has expressed its approval of the recent decision made by federal and state Work Health and Safety Ministers to prohibit the future use of engineered stone. This decision is aimed at safeguarding the well-being of numerous Australian workers who are regularly exposed to dangerous crystalline silica dust from this product.
Crystalline silica dust, which is finer than a grain of sand and classified as a Group 1 carcinogen by the International Agency for Research on Cancer, poses serious health risks. Inhaling this dust can lead to silicosis and lung cancer. It is estimated that approximately 230 people develop lung cancer each year due to past exposure to silica dust at work.
Professor Tim Driscoll, Chair of the Cancer Council’s Occupational and Environmental Cancers Committee, has commended this decision, emphasizing its importance in protecting workers. The ban on engineered stone, as a result of a meeting of the Work Health and Safety Ministers, is seen as a significant step taken by all levels of government to ensure the safety of those working with engineered stone benchtops. Moreover, it’s crucial to minimize or prevent silica exposure in other workplace settings such as quarrying, mining, construction, tunneling, and stonemasonry. The implementation of this ban on engineered stone could potentially prevent around 100 cases of lung cancer and 1000 cases of silicosis among Australian workers throughout the supply chain, from those cutting the stone in factories to the tradies installing kitchen benches, as Professor Driscoll has explained. This decision aligns with the Cancer Council’s recommendations and is supported by evidence, including the National Dust Disease Taskforce Report and the Draft National Silicosis Prevention Strategy.
Cancer Council commends each government and enforcement agency for their collaborative efforts in promoting workplace safety, with Professor Driscoll concluding that this decision will keep more Australians safe at work.
How Radar Can Help Fight Dust Suppression
Sensor technologies in the mining sector have demonstrated their worth, with radar technology standing out as a valuable asset. Radar has proven invaluable in scenarios involving automation, autonomous vehicles, and environmental monitoring, especially in situations where visibility is compromised. Unlike traditional sensors like cameras and LiDAR, radar operates within the radio frequency (RF) spectrum, allowing it to overcome visibility limitations and penetrate obstacles like dust, fog, rain, and smoke. This unique ability to cut through obstructions is critical for ensuring continuous automation and safety in mining operations.
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As automation and autonomous vehicles become integral to the mining industry, the challenge lies in adapting existing technologies to meet new requirements effectively. In addition to adaptability, selecting the right sensor technology must consider factors like maintenance, multifunctionality, connectivity, data collection, analysis, and cost.
One prominent example of adopting “smart mining” is Rio Tinto, which launched its technologically advanced Gudai-Darri mine in late 2022. Automation, including autonomous trucks, trains, and drills, is at the heart of this mine’s development, aimed at optimizing safety and productivity. Dust is an inherent by-product of mining operations, posing challenges for visibility and conventional optical equipment. While infrared cameras can mitigate some of these issues, few cameras can withstand the intense dust levels in mining environments. Even then, they require frequent cleaning and maintenance, leading to costly downtime.
Radar technology stands out as an ideal choice for enhancing the situational awareness of Autonomous Mining Technologies (AMTs) in such demanding conditions. It can operate effectively in environments where other sensor technologies struggle, whether it’s navigating underground tunnels, working during night shifts, or dealing with dusty atmospheres. Moreover, radar technology provides high accuracy in distance measurement and object detection, crucial for AMTs as they navigate mine sites with large equipment, ensuring informed decisions and collision avoidance.
Despite efforts to reduce dust in mining environments through ventilation and filtering, complete eradication remains nearly impossible. Therefore, technological advancements need to focus on mitigating its effects. While other technologies assist in AMT and mining automation navigation under favorable conditions, radar technology stands out as a reliable and cost-effective solution for poor visibility caused by factors like dust.
Sensor technologies in the mining sector have demonstrated their worth, with radar technology standing out as a valuable asset. Radar has proven invaluable in scenarios involving automation, autonomous vehicles, and environmental monitoring, especially in situations where visibility is compromised. Unlike traditional sensors like cameras and LiDAR, radar operates within the radio frequency (RF) spectrum, allowing it to overcome visibility limitations and penetrate obstacles like dust, fog, rain, and smoke. This unique ability to cut through obstructions is critical for ensuring continuous automation and safety in mining operations.
As automation and autonomous vehicles become integral to the mining industry, the challenge lies in adapting existing technologies to meet new requirements effectively. In addition to adaptability, selecting the right sensor technology must consider factors like maintenance, multifunctionality, connectivity, data collection, analysis, and cost.
One prominent example of adopting “smart mining” is Rio Tinto, which launched its technologically advanced Gudai-Darri mine in late 2022. Automation, including autonomous trucks, trains, and drills, is at the heart of this mine’s development, aimed at optimizing safety and productivity. Dust is an inherent by-product of mining operations, posing challenges for visibility and conventional optical equipment. While infrared cameras can mitigate some of these issues, few cameras can withstand the intense dust levels in mining environments. Even then, they require frequent cleaning and maintenance, leading to costly downtime.
Radar technology stands out as an ideal choice for enhancing the situational awareness of Autonomous Mining Technologies (AMTs) in such demanding conditions. It can operate effectively in environments where other sensor technologies struggle, whether it’s navigating underground tunnels, working during night shifts, or dealing with dusty atmospheres. Moreover, radar technology provides high accuracy in distance measurement and object detection, crucial for AMTs as they navigate mine sites with large equipment, ensuring informed decisions and collision avoidance.
Despite efforts to reduce dust in mining environments through ventilation and filtering, complete eradication remains nearly impossible. Therefore, technological advancements need to focus on mitigating its effects. While other technologies assist in AMT and mining automation navigation under favorable conditions, radar technology stands out as a reliable and cost-effective solution for poor visibility caused by factors like dust.
Dust suppression is a critical issue in the world of mining and resources.
Learn more about GRT’s industry-leading and IoT-connected SMART Dosing Units, and discover how we’re driving better dust suppression solutions for all!
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References:
https://www.miragenews.com/cancer-council-applauds-ban-on-lung-harming-1143654/
