The risks of excessive quarry dust are high.

Dust suppression is a massive issue for quarry operators worldwide.With adverse health effects for staff and those close by, dust monitoring and advanced dust suppression techniques are crucial. Specific dust pollution, known as respirable crystalline silica, or RCS, is one of the most significant hazards to quarry health and safety.

RCS is found in varying proportions in the following:

  • Rocks – (quartz is the most common) 
  • Sands
  • Soils
  • Clays
  • Building materials – (concrete, bricks, mortar)

Over some time, RCA can cause hardening of the lung tissue and ultimately lead to impairment of lung function. The condition caused by RCS is known as silicosis, which causes severe shortness of breath and worsens even after exposure has stopped.

Sadly, silicosis is irreversible. Studies have also revealed a link between silicosis and lung cancer. People with silicosis also have an expanded risk of contracting a spectrum of other diseases, including kidney inflammation, tuberculosis and arthritis.

Quarry Dust Suppression Plan & Techniques

Staying on top of modern dust suppression techniques is paramount for quarry operators.

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Crushers, conveyors and haul road networks are a fact of life in the quarry and mining industries.

These systems and many more will always produce excessive dust emissions that create an uncomfortable working environment if allowed to enter the atmosphere.

In addition to the human health risks, dust particles can also cause the following:

  • Excessive wear on machinery 
  • Reduced visibility
  • Increase the risk of accidents

Effective dust suppression techniques must revolve around a dust management plan and incorporate the correct methods outlined in your region’s Health and Safety guidelines. 

Monitoring dust levels and particulate matter can then lead to traditional management techniques, including:

  • Water spray – (water mist, fog cannons)
  • Dust capture – (extraction hoods, cyclones and bag filters)
  • Wetting agents – (assisting water droplets in dust particle contact) 

Locating a quarrying plant so that it’s sheltered from the wind and installing a plant shelterbelt are also practical dust suppression techniques. 

Quarry Dust Suppression Products

Quality mining and quarry dust suppression systems are available in today’s industrial world.

GRT has developed a series of products designed to minimise the associated health risks from excessive dust and increase connectivity across a large area while providing valuable site-wide data. 

Check out GRT’s latest quarry dust suppression technology with our new SMART Dosing Solutions!

Our quarry dust suppression equipment is cutting-edge and uses the latest technology to improve your ROI over time. 

GRT’s Quarry dust suppression products include the following: 

  • GRT: ACTIVATE
  • GRT: 12X
  • GRT: DC Binder 
  • GRT Wet-Loc
  • GRT: Haul-Loc 

With 95% effectiveness and no toxicity, our advanced products are your reliable go-to for protecting your people, equipment and environment in quarry operations. 

Summary

The risks of quarrying and mining are well known, but that doesn’t change the outcome.

Which, in the worst cases, can be debilitating and even fatal.

The world deserves better dust suppression in quarries, and GRT has developed products fit for purpose and designed to reduce harmful dust emissions drastically. 

From crushing and conveying systems to haul roads and stockpiles, we can help you gain control of your dust levels with monitoring and solutions tailored to your needs. 

Our systems are in action with leading miners and quarry operators worldwide, meaning you can trust that our technology is tried and tested. 

Got a question? Speak with our team today!

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References:

https://www.agg-net.com/resources/articles/health-safety/effective-dust-suppression-in-quarries

https://www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/causes-prevention/risk/substances/crystalline-silica-breathing.

https://www.minex.org.nz/assets/Uploads/MinEx-Guideline-Dust-Ma-r08-1.pdf