For quarry operations, dust control is an integral part of health and safety and operational efficiency. Controlling dust on site minimises the health risks to workers from silica exposure, and prevents machinery from becoming clogged and damaged.
For these reasons, in the UK and abroad, dust control in quarries is regulated under several key aspects of legislation. Let’s look at the key legal requirements to be aware of:
Control Of Substances Hazardous To Health (COSHH) Regulations 2002
The main statute related to dust control is the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 2002 (COSHH), which sets out the responsibility of employers to protect or adequately control workers’ exposure to any hazardous substance, including dust.
There Are Two Main Categories Of Dust Under These Regulations:
1. Inhalable dust – this refers to particles that can be breathed in through the nose or mouth
2. Respirable dust – these are smaller particles that can penetrate deep into the lungs and are the ones most responsible for dust-related diseases.
COSHH establishes Workplace Exposure Limits (WELs) for both inhalable and respirable dust to mitigate health risks. As an employer, you are legally required to keep dust levels below these limits, implementing the appropriate dust suppression measures, regular monitoring, and personal protective equipment (PPE) to maintain compliance.
The Quarries Regulations 1999
The Quarries Regulations 1999 provides an additional framework for health and safety management specific to quarry operations, as well as surface mineral workings and associated activities. The regulation places the following responsibilities on employers:
- Health and safety management: quarries should demonstrate a systematic approach to managing health and safety hazards, including dust control, with a clear written audit trail to demonstrate compliance.
- Risk assessments: each quarrying operation requires a thorough risk assessment to identify all potential hazards (e.g. hazardous minerals and particles on site) and set out detailed control measures to mitigate each risk.
- Monitoring and review: regular assessments and reviews are required for all dust control measures to sustain their effectiveness and compliance with legal standards.
- Worker training: quarry operators should provide adequate training for their workers and contractors about the importance of dust control and safe working practices, including how to use PPE and avoid health risks.
Cost-Effective Compliance With Foam-Based Dust Control
Foam-based dust control systems are among the most efficient ways of improving health and safety on site. For example, a study conducted by Applied Sciences in the Zhangcun coalmine in China demonstrated the superior performance of foam technology over solely water-based systems in coal mines. The research revealed a 59.5% dust removal efficiency, significantly surpassing traditional water spray methods.
Benefits Of Foam Dust Control Solutions
- Higher dust capture efficiency – foam forms an active barrier over harmful dust particles, capturing and suppressing them before they become airborne.
- Improved site safety – by reducing dust levels more efficiently, foam control contributes to a safer and healthier working environment for quarry workers.
What Next?
With over 100 installations worldwide customers in the quarrying, mining, and heavy industrial sectors, we provide a tailored solution that helps you maintain compliance, improve site safety, and maximise efficiency. To find out more, please call 01530 272922 today to arrange an initial consultation and site survey, to help us understand your project needs and challenges.
Image Source: Canva